Defra disease staff made redundant

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Around 20 staff at the Wildlife Administration Unit of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have received redundancy notices.

The Public and Commercial Services union said the affected staff were based in Cornwall and Gloucestershire.

The union said other workers in the department have had their holiday leave cancelled for October because of the current animal health problems.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, said: "Making people compulsorily redundant at the same time as the department is working around the clock to contain foot-and-mouth and bluetongue disease outbreaks is ridiculous and unnecessary.

"This move raises fears that more could follow in greater numbers."

The union is to ballot all its members across the Civil Service for industrial action in the next few weeks in a row over jobs and pay.

Mr Serwotka called on the Government to intervene to prevent the job losses.