What do "other public servants" do all day long?

The Daily Express* gives a new report by The Taxpayers' Alliance on public sector non-jobs a good airing here.

Inevitably ...

... a Treasury spokesman said: “The Government has made a priority of fair remuneration for teachers, nurses, doctors, police officers and other public servants.

Well he would say that, wouldn't he?

Just to remind ourselves of the numbers, there are a total of 1.3 million "teachers, nurses, doctors, police officers" which by subtraction leaves 6.7 million "other public servants" working in 'Education, health and public admin'** per Table 5(2) of this.

The TPA are not complaining overly about pay for nurses, teachers or police officers, although it seems fair to mention their pension arrangements every now and then. The TPA are specifically addressing the issue of non-jobs (of which there must be millions). I can't find the "Annual Non-job Report for 2008" on their website yet, but the Annual Non-job Report for 2007 lists a few actual examples on the very first page. That is what the TPA are talking about - not "teachers, nurses, doctors, police officers"...

* Via Mark's Any

** Yes, some education and health is provided and paid for privately, but only a tiny fraction.