4,000 jobs at DTI would go under Tory reforms

More than 4,000 jobs would be axed from the Department of Trade and Industry under Tory plans to be unveiled today.

The Conservatives say huge savings could be made by making the department more efficient.

They claim Gordon Brown's plans to cut 1,500 jobs from the DTI do not go nearly far enough. The cuts are the latest in a series of proposals being released by Michael Howard and his shadow cabinet. The majority of the civil servants affected are based in London.

Conservatives say the posts would go through natural wastage and voluntary redundancy. Shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin says it is time to "slim down Labour's fat government". The Liberal Democrats have proposed scrapping the DTI altogether.

Earlier this year, the Tories drafted in corporate troubleshooter David James to work out how the Civil Service could be streamlined. The party has proposed swingeing job cuts in major departments.

Shadow industry secretary Stephen O'Brien claims the DTI should be "completely reformed and refocused".

Under recommendations from Mr James, 4,060 jobs, made up of 3,395 civil servants at the DTI's London base and 665 staff at UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), would be axed.

Mr O'Brien said: "British business will be better supported, less burdened and free to get on with taking the risks and creating the jobs, reward, profit and investment upon which we all depend."