Boris Johnson has ordered ministers to axe up to 91,000 civil service jobs in a desperate bid to free up cash to tackle the cost of living crisis.
The Prime Minister is said to have told top Tories that the number of Whitehall officials should be cut by a fifth to bring the civil service to 2016 levels within a few years.
Unions blasted the move as a "reckless slash and burn" to public services and warned hard choices would be needed if the staffing levels are significantly reduced.
