Lib Dems ask all teachers, nurses and street cleaners in Derby 'where is the waste?'

3.56.39pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Sep 2009

Everyone employed in the public sector - including Derby's army of teachers, care assistants, librarians and social workers - is being asked to say where they think taxpayers' money can be saved.

The Liberal Democrats are launching a website where people who work with taxpayers' money can submit suggestions on how to cut waste in the public sector. It is being launched by leader Nick Clegg as part of the 'Ask the People in the Know' project and can be accessed at www.nickclegg.com/intheknow

Cllr Lucy Care Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Derby North said: "Tens of thousands of people provide public services in Derby from school teachers and nurses to street cleaners and firefighters. Without their work and skills Derby wouldn't function.

"These are the people who know what works and what doesn't in their field, and frankly they're the ones I'd trust to say where cuts can be made safely without putting lives in danger.

"Unlike the Tories, who just want to take an axe to public sector jobs, and Labour, who only seem to care about bailing out bankers, the Liberal Democrats will reduce public debt in a responsible way. "

"That's why we're asking the experts - the people on-the-ground who know how money can be saved without threatening essential services - where is the waste?"

Suggestions made through the 'Ask the People in the Know' website will help shape the Liberal Democrats' policy-making process and feed into the General Election manifesto.

Nick Clegg says: "Politicians should stop talking over the heads of public servants. We need to listen to the people in the know on how we can better run public services, making sure that every penny of taxpayers' money is well spent. That's what 'Asking the People in the Know' is all about."