Miliband backs Balls on cuts

Labour leader Ed Milliband has reiterated that his party cannot commit to reverse recent spending cuts - partly due to the need to protect security check (SC) cleared jobs.

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls warned last week that Labour could not promise to reverse any of the cuts implemented by the current government if it comes into power, including its freeze on SC cleared and other public sector workers' pay until 2015.

Mr Miliband has now backed this stance, stating on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that while Labour would not be cutting "as far and as fast" if it were currently in government, it would not be affordable to reverse these reductions if the party subsequently comes to power.

He said that this was "a hard choice" to make, but that it was right to prioritise employment over pay rises and also stressed the need for "responsible opposition" and to demonstrate that Labour would be "fiscally credible in government".

Yet the Labour leader's comments drew criticism from union leaders, with Unite general secretary Dave Prentis accusing Miliband of showing "breathtaking" naivety and of having "panicked" in accepting the Conservatives' pay policy.