Viewpoint: Spending Review demands wise heads

Managers have had a difficult year, facing not only continued economic uncertainty and the lowest-recorded levels of employee morale but also the recently announced Comprehensive Spending Review, signalling the biggest business shake-up in decades.

Some argue that we should not be surprised, though even if this is so, that knowledge does not negate fear. This was clearly demonstrated in research undertaken by the Chartered Management Institute in the run-up to the Chancellor's announcements: asked about issues affecting business, 76% argued that the Spending Review is a threat.

One question that employers must answer is how they will cope with the extensive budget reductions affecting the Department for Education and Department for