Danish government cuts 956 workers

Austerity measures that resulted in the most government job losses in Danish history were regrettable but necessary, Denmark's prime minister said. Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said stemming the rising tide of unemployment in the country is still at the top of her agenda but the budget must be balanced, The Copenhagen Post reported Tuesday. "We have had to tighten certain ministries, agencies and state institutions, and it cost us some people," she said. "I can understand why people are angry and I am sorry, but our job is to balance the budget." Every ministry in Denmark was directed to cut costs by 5 percent resulting in the loss of 956 government jobs. It was the largest reduction of government employees since 1920, when tough austerity measures were initiated in the wake of World War I. Denmark's Finance Minister, Bjarne Corydon, said the pain is not over and the government will continue to look for ways to cut expenses.