Title

FINANCE

Thousands of council jobs at risk due to funding shortfall, union warns

Tens of thousands of council jobs could be lost unless the Government addresses the current funding shortfall, Unison has warned.

Tens of thousands of council jobs could be lost unless the Government addresses the current funding shortfall, Unison has warned.

The trade union has analysed the impact of the £10bn 'fundign gap' for 2020/21, which amounts to a 21% reduction in spending compared to the previous financial year.

It found that, if social care and public health were protected from funding cuts, every other council service would see cuts of 54%.

This could could lead to the loss of 51,000 children's social workers, 141,000 adult care workers and almost 46,000 refuse collectors, according to the research.

Unison head of local government, Jon Richards, said: 'Local authorities are the key to every community, with staff delivering vital services. Local government must have the money it needs, especially as demands on local services are likely to rise.

'The money pledged by ministers so far is a drop in the ocean. Councils need the full support of government if communities are to avoid serious harm.'

FINANCE

Councils must speak out on increasing tax-raising powers

By Rob Whiteman CBE | 19 November 2025

As Rob Whiteman spells out local government’s three Budget priorities, he makes it clear: councils must take the lead in reforming services and rebalancing t...

FINANCE

Fixing the easiest win in care spending

By Tracie Langley | 18 November 2025

A pioneering care staffing platform could save councils millions, topple agency dependence and put control back where it belongs – with providers and carers,...

FINANCE

Rise up to reimagine health

By Matthew Taylor | 18 November 2025

With so much funding locked into NHS provision, only bold reform in how care is delivered will unlock real change – and that means health and local governmen...

FINANCE

Urging for a fairer urban future

By Ann McGauran | 17 November 2025

Parliamentary chair of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA) Sally Jameson warns that changes in the fair funding reforms are set to s...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman