Unison, local government's largest trade union, has warned that black and minority ethnic (BME) staff at councils across London are being hit disproportionately by job cuts made during the sector's austerity drive.

A survey of 27 local authorities across the capital found that BME workers were being made redundant at a higher rate than their representation in the workforce. At one London authority, BME workers represented 31% of council staff, yet comprised 63% of staff laid off.