A trade union has claimed that Wakefield Council members revealed plans to cut 236 jobs "by the end of March".

The plans were said to have been shared in a meeting of councillors with UNISON and other unions.

A spokesperson for UNISON has now argued that the job losses "will have a serious impact on council staff and services for people in the city."

The spokesperson also argued that "job losses are likely to affect property services, IT, administration, and business support."

A "£35.8 million budget challenge in 2025-26" is referred to in a Wakefield Council update published on December 2 and available to read here: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/your-district/responsible-budget-decisions-to-set-council-up-for-positive-future/

UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Rianne Hooley said: "Like many councils, Wakefield has already experienced significant cuts to staffing levels over the past 14 years."

UNISON Wakefield branch secretary Sam Greenwood added: "It’s clear Wakefield Council is in a very difficult financial situation and will need to make tough decisions.

"But councillors must do everything possible to avoid compulsory job cuts."

UNISON's Councils on the Brink report, which was published in September and predates Wakefield Council's latest budget deficit announcement, is available to read at https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2024/09/Councils-on-the-brink-with-regional-appendix.pdf