Third of council staff cut in last decade, says union
Councils have cut 600,000 jobs since 2012, a union has revealed.
Local authorities in England and Wales employed 1,894,700 workers 13 years ago, but that number had fallen to 1,295,300 by last year, according to the GMB.
Birmingham was the worst-hit council, losing almost 27,000 workers, followed by Derbyshire and Staffordshire, according to the study.
Unions have begun talks with the Local Government Association after asking for a £3,000 pay rise for all employees in 2025/26.
Unison, GMB and Unite, which represent 1.4 million council and school staff across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, say the increase is 'essential' to combat the cost of living crisis.
Last year, National Employers offered a £1,290 increase, amounting to 5.77 per cent for the lowest-paid workers. It was eventually accepted in October.
'Deep and lasting damage of austerity'
Kevin Brandstatter, the GMB national officer, called the figures 'appalling', adding that they 'show the deep and lasting damage austerity has done to our country'.
He added: 'Council workers look after our loved ones, help our children learn, clear away our rubbish and keep our green spaces clean. They are the absolute backbone of society and should have had this year's pay lift already - instead, we are waiting for a response from the Local Government Association.
'GMB members working in local government face huge pressures, with the cost of living rocketing. They deserve a decent pay rise.'
Earlier this month, it was revealed that up to 2,100 civil servants would be made redundant as the Cabinet Office shed a third of its staff.
UK faces summer of discontent
Britain is facing a summer of discontent as union leaders appear to be laying the groundwork for widespread strikes. Teachers, NHS workers, civil servants and university staff could stage walkouts over pay, job cuts and working conditions.
Bin workers in Birmingham have continued to leave rubbish piling in the city's streets in a standoff with the Labour-run council, which has been ongoing since March 11.
Months earlier, the Government offered unions large backdated pay rises in a move that forced Rachel Reeves into raising taxes in her autumn Budget.
A Local Government Association spokesman said: 'Working in local government has never been more valued or important, given the hundreds of essential services provided every day by councils and combined authorities to keep our communities running.
'Significant staff shortages in local government risk having a serious impact on councils' capacity to deliver services and help the Government meet key pledges. Government investment in local government and its workforce is key to ensure services are protected, and also to deliver its own policy agenda.'
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