Trade union activists from across Norfolk came together and pledged to fight public sector spending cuts last night.More than 60 people attended a meeting at City Hall, Norwich, aimed at establishing a “coalition against the cuts” of trade unionists and members of the public.

Trade union activists from across Norfolk came together and pledged to fight public sector spending cuts last night.

More than 60 people attended a meeting at City Hall, Norwich, aimed at establishing a “coalition against the cuts” of trade unionists and members of the public.

The meeting was organised by Unison and the Public and Commerical Services (PCS) Union, with support from other unions including Unite, the University and College Union, the Communication Workers' Union and the GMB.

Speakers included Richard Edwards, regional secretary of the PCS, who challenged the idea that spending cuts were unavoidable.

“The government and its kept press have used the mantra last used by the Iron Lady - Thatcher - to soften up the population by telling us there is no alternative to massive cuts in public spending. This is an income crisis, not a spending crisis. While we agree the deficit does need to be addressed, we fundamentally disagree with the Con-Dems that �90bn of public sector cuts is the answer.”