Earlier Friday, a source involved in the Cabinet gathering process said Obama is considering a mix of Washington insiders and high-profile business executives to head Cabinet positions.

CNN: Obama: 'We have to act swiftly' on economy

Later a Cabinet Office source told the BBC about 5% of public sector workers, from all over the UK, were affected, estimated at tens of thousands of people.

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Ambassador Richard Holbrooke also are interested in the job, the source said. iReport.com: Who should be in Obama's Cabinet?

CNN: Obama: 'We have to act swiftly' on economy

The source said Richardson has always been on Obama's list of possibilities for the key Cabinet position.

CNN: Obama discusses top Cabinet post with Richardson, Clinton