Almost 600,000 council jobs lost in a decade – union
Councils across England and Wales have lost almost a third of their staff over the past decade, according to new research.
A study by the GMB revealed that since 2012, almost 600,000 council jobs had gone.
The union said that 13 years ago, local authorities in England and Wales employed 1,894,700 workers, but by 2024 the number had fallen to 1,295,300.
Birmingham was the worst hit council, losing almost 27,000 workers, followed by Derbyshire and Staffordshire, according to the study.
The figures were released as the GMB and other unions begin talks with the Local Government Association over council workers’ pay claim for 2025/26.
‘Austerity’
Kevin Brandstatter, GMB national officer, said: “These figures are clearly appalling and show the deep and lasting damage austerity has done to our country.
“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.”
‘Valued’
A Local Government Association spokesperson 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 Government meet key pledges.
“Government investment in local government and its workforce is key to ensure services are protected and also to delivering its own policy agenda.”
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I wonder if the ones who lost their jobs were white collar or hands-on workers?
The cull of front line services is most evident yet that was one of the main reasons for the creation and existence of local councils ! Some Chief Execs behave as thouth local authorities exist to provide them with juicy salary and benefits packages.
This is a sobering statistic, and as deeply damaging to the workers affected as the communities they served. That loss of capacity has left our services, some of which could never be profitable, in the hands of private sector operators or just not offered anymore. Profit-maximisation is inappropriate in the provision of essential services, like health, social care or water supply. Some of those services have been priced out of reach for many by their privatisation. I also condemn the ridiculously high salaries now offered to a very few in many public (and private) institutions, especially when work for so… Read more »