With the Local Government Association saying that councils face increased demand for their services at the same time as cuts in their budgets, the need for 15% spending reductions in the next three years means that some 170 000 public sector posts, or 10% of the total, are thought to be in danger. According to the Chair of the Association, such savings will be required regardless of which political party forms the next government in the election due by May 2010. The largest local authority, Birmingham Council, revealed a package of 2 000 redundancies, a freeze in staff pay and reduction of services last week. The government has also published guidelines for councils on how to decrease spending without affecting frontline services.
Source: guardian.co.uk/01.03.2010