A LEADING trade union has written to the head of staff at King Charles’s former household urging him to stop planned job cuts at Clarence House.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), the UK’s sixth largest union, has written to the King's Principal Private Secretary Sir Clive Alderton asking him to stop the proposed redundancies and meet with the union ahead of any future consultation.
It was reported earlier this week that some staff at Clarence House had been warned their jobs were at risk following Charles’s accession to the throne.
The union has said that up to 100 employees received a notification they could be made redundant.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “To issue a notice of redundancy during the period of mourning is shocking and insensitive.
“We call on Sir Clive to think again, to withdraw his letter and engage with us on any future staffing plans.”
The Guardian first reported that staff were told the news during the thanksgiving service for the Queen which took place in Edinburgh on Monday.
The newspaper revealed a letter from Alderton which highlighted plans for redundancies. It read: “The change in role for our principals will also mean change for our household.
“The portfolio of work previously undertaken in this household supporting the former Prince of Wales’s personal interests, former activities and household operations will no longer be carried out, and the household… at Clarence House will be closed down.
“It is therefore expected that the need for the posts principally based at Clarence House, whose work supports these areas will no longer be needed.
“I appreciate that this is unsettling news and I wanted to let you know of the support that is available at this point.”
Alderton added that certain staff providing “direct, close, personal support and advice” to the new King and the Queen Consort would remain.
It is believed that legal advice taken by the household required the information to be shared with staff at the earliest opportunity.
