Directors of children's services called on to join 'spending challenge'

Called "the spending challenge" the plea is directed at all public sector workers to help ministers find further efficiency savings.

The Department for Education has confirmed that it has sent copies of a letter from Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to directors of children’s services to include them in the review.

The letter says: "We want you to help us find those savings, so we can cut public spending in a way that is fair and responsible. You work on the frontline of public services. You know where things are working well, where the waste is, and where we can re-think things so that we get better services for less money."

This latest move has been criticised by public sector union Unison. Its general secretary Dave Prentis said that efficiency savings have been in place for three years and "there is very little fat left to cut."