Council forces staff to take unpaid Christmas leave in 'last resort' savings plan

Staff at Cambridgeshire County Council will be forced to take three days of unpaid leave over Christmas in a bid to cut costs.

The authority, which has been trying to find almost 15 million pounds of savings in this year's budget, says the move is a "last resort".

They say it will save almost a million pounds - the equivalent of cutting 40 jobs. Critics say it's a Christmas pay-cut and have called it hugely unfair.

The council says it has found £8m of savings this year - but "time is running out" to find the additional £5.2m needed.

The council previously negotiated with trade unions a clause in all employees’ contracts to impose a period of up to three days unpaid leave if the financial situation made it necessary.

Therefore – except for some essential services - Cambridgeshire County Council will close on 27, 28 and 31 December, and all but the lowest paid staff (those earning under £25k per year) will take these days as unpaid leave.