NCB Now: Comment -- A sense of perspective is needed in hard times

For the past few months government has been telling us that all key decisions must await the outcome of the spending review. But is the picture any clearer? We can see some of the "big picture" - we know that local authority services such as play, family support and youth services are likely to be hit very hard, while schools and health services are relatively protected. But we are still a long way from knowing the impact on individual organisations jobs.

Some local authorities are completely reorganising their services, merging with neighbours, or outsourcing. It is natural to think that many more may follow - so all those employed in local authorities are waiting for the next circular. Some charities are shedding large numbers of staff in anticipation of reduced funding after April; almost every charity is expecting to have to restructure during the first half of 2011.