Over 150,000 council jobs under threat

At the GMB general union’s latest reckoning a total of 150,059 posts are under threat of being made redundant at 261 councils and authorities across Britain.

In nearly all these councils a 90 day statutory consultation period is underway on how to deal with these job losses. Most councils have given notice that they plan to delete vacant posts and seek volunteers for early retirements and redundancy.

GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: “Frontline services for the most vulnerable people in our society are being affected by cuts of this scale. The impact for those who depend on these services will be devastating.”

Manchester

The city council confirmed 2,000 job losses — 17% of its workforce — as it revealed full details of cuts.

Leisure centres, libraries and public toilets will close as part of the council’s plan to make nearly £110 million of savings in the next financial year.

Children’s services will be cut by 26%, or £45.1million, but social workers for vulnerable children will be increased, the council said.

www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/latest_news/150059_jobs_under_threat.aspx

www.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/5875/council_publishes_proposed_budget_details