Up to 1,000 jobs could be cut at Stoke City Council, union claims

The union that represents staff at Stoke City Council has accused the authority of not being upfront about the number of jobs at risk, after plans were announced last week to axe 248 full time jobs.

GMB says a statutory redundancy notice issued by the council states there could be a possible 953 redundancies – including 370 in 'social care, health integration and wellbeing.'

• Stoke-on-Trent City Council set to cut nearly 250 jobs

Stoke City Council told ITV News Central tonight (21st of August) that is not correct, saying the number actually refers to the number of people whose jobs could be included in the 248 figure. It blamed a clerical error on some of the confusion and around numbers, saying in a statement:

Earlier this month, council bosses had said almost 250 full time jobs would be cut in order to spend money improving children's services, and had revealed plans to review staffing, including cutting 74 jobs in street care and green spaces, and 70 from social care integration and wellbeing.

The union says the documents call into doubt the council's original claim.

Dave Warwick, GMB Organiser, said:

£194 million has been cut from the council's budget over the last eight years.

More than £5.5 million will be cut to pay for the improvements it says will be made to children's services.