UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, today accused local authorities of acting politically in cutting budgets and declaring job cuts of tens of thousands over the next few years, when they didn’t have to. He said:
“Councils’ decisions to cut spending, freeze council tax and cut jobs are politically motivated. For 2010-2011, councils have received an extra 4% from the Government and the majority have billions of pounds in unallocated reserves.
“And our members have helped save billions in efficiency savings over the past few years. The Government called for 3% efficiency savings, but councils have been making more than 7% savings and pocketing the money.
“Freezing council tax is a political gimmick. It may mean individual savings of a few pounds, but the overall impact on services will be greater. Local businesses rely on councils to thrive, council workers spend their money in their areas and vulnerable people rely on the council to help them through the recession. Cutting jobs makes no sense at all.”