This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8256580.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Give detail on cuts, say Lib Dems Give detail on cuts, say Lib Dems
(30 minutes later)
Politicians must stop arguing about "generalities" on spending cuts and set out their proposals, Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable has said.Politicians must stop arguing about "generalities" on spending cuts and set out their proposals, Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable has said.
He added that it was time to debate "when, how and where" the government's budget deficit would be cut.He added that it was time to debate "when, how and where" the government's budget deficit would be cut.
Among the measures he puts forward are freezing civil service pay, scrapping ID cards and "abolishing quangos". Among his suggestions are freezing civil service pay, scrapping ID cards and the Trident nuclear programme.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown admitted for the first time on Tuesday that "cuts" are needed in the public sector.Prime Minister Gordon Brown admitted for the first time on Tuesday that "cuts" are needed in the public sector.
The Conservatives have previously accused Mr Brown of being evasive on the issue, while Labour says the Tories are planning a "ruthless" cull of frontline services. The Conservatives had accused Mr Brown of being evasive on the issue, while Labour says the Tories are planning a "ruthless" cull of frontline services.
The spending deficit is expected to reach £175bn this year.The spending deficit is expected to reach £175bn this year.
'Restore credibility''Restore credibility'
In a pamphlet for the think-tank Reform, Mr Cable said: "The time for generalities is over. Instead, we need serious proposals for cutting public spending and tackling the UK's budget deficit.In a pamphlet for the think-tank Reform, Mr Cable said: "The time for generalities is over. Instead, we need serious proposals for cutting public spending and tackling the UK's budget deficit.
"The priority is to move the economy out of recession, but there is also a need to restore fiscal credibility and to allow government to focus its resources where are they are most needed."The priority is to move the economy out of recession, but there is also a need to restore fiscal credibility and to allow government to focus its resources where are they are most needed.
Politicians must not shy away from explaining in detail how they will tackle the problem of deficits and debt Vince Cable, Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Brown admits need for cuts Tories 'vindicated' on spending
"We need to debate when, how and where the cuts will come. Undoubtedly more are required to meet the exacting fiscal disciplines, but asking the British public for their vote at the next election means being upfront from the outset about what government should and should not be spending its money on.""We need to debate when, how and where the cuts will come. Undoubtedly more are required to meet the exacting fiscal disciplines, but asking the British public for their vote at the next election means being upfront from the outset about what government should and should not be spending its money on."
Mr Cable said cuts would be needed in many areas of public spending, with no budgets "ring-fenced".Mr Cable said cuts would be needed in many areas of public spending, with no budgets "ring-fenced".
He added: "Existing spending has to be justified, not simply assumed to be necessary and trimmed at the edges."He added: "Existing spending has to be justified, not simply assumed to be necessary and trimmed at the edges."
The pamphlet identifies nine areas of potential savings, including zero overall growth for public sector pay, worth £2.4bn a year, and a 25% cut in the total pay bill of staff earning more than £100,000 a year. Pensions review
The pamphlet identifies nine areas of potential savings although the party says they are just ideas, not policy.
They include scrapping the renewal of the Trident nuclear missile system - which the party says could save £70bn over 25 years and other defence procurement programmes like tranche three of the Eurofighter aircraft.
Others include zero overall growth for public sector pay, worth £2.4bn a year, and a 25% cut in the total pay bill of staff earning more than £100,000 a year.
Higher employee contributions and later retirement ages would form part of a "radical review" of public sector pensions, while £200m would be saved by ending civil service bonuses and freezing salaries, Mr Cable argues.Higher employee contributions and later retirement ages would form part of a "radical review" of public sector pensions, while £200m would be saved by ending civil service bonuses and freezing salaries, Mr Cable argues.
He also proposes scrapping several major IT projects including the ID card scheme and NHS computer, and identifies £600m of annual savings through curbing centralisation in education and abolishing quangos. He also proposes scrapping several major IT projects including the ID card scheme and NHS computer, and identifies £600m of annual savings through curbing centralisation in education and abolishing quangos. Public sector asset sales are also being considered.
Defence would be targeted, with procurement programmes such as tranche three of Eurofighter cancelled, and public sector asset sales considered.
Mr Cable said: "Politicians must not shy away from explaining in detail how they will tackle the problem of deficits and debt."Mr Cable said: "Politicians must not shy away from explaining in detail how they will tackle the problem of deficits and debt."