Secret Labour plan to axe 250 jobs from frontline care services exposed

3.53.12pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 24th Nov 2006

Labour plan to cut 250 jobs from the Care4you service

A confidential Labour council document has been leaked which reveals that Labour councillors are secretly planning to axe 250 frontline council staff from care services. An insider concerned at the plan handed the secret briefing to the Lib Dems. The document shows that Labour plan to reduce the councils 'Care4you' workforce by over 20%.

Liberal Democrats are angry that the controversial plan has been developed in secret. Lib Dems are now demanding that Labour bosses give service users and staff the full details.

The Care4you service covers the Council's own home care service, residential care homes and resource centres, and the citywide community care alarm service. Altogether this represents 1200 staff and a revenue budget of £29.1m.

Labours cut will reduce the workforce by over 20%. Liberal Democrats are deeply worried at the devastating effect the cut will have on services to some of our elderly and most vulnerable residents in Sheffield.

Cllr Ian Auckland, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet member for Adult Services, said: -

"I am both shocked and angered at Labours secret plan to axe 250 frontline jobs from the councils care services. The plan would see the workforce slashed by over 20%"

"Labour plan to cut vital services for people receiving home care and residential care. This will have a devastating effect on the lives of many of our most vulnerable residents who rely on these services to maintain an independent and active life"

"It is an absolute scandal that Labour have been planning these cuts in secret. On an issue as sensitive as this the council should be open and honest. Labour bosses must now provide the full details of their plan to service users, staff and local people"

"I am glad that their plan has been exposed so that local people are now aware of the proposed 250 job cuts. People will now have the opportunity to campaign against the plan so that it doesn't become another Labour done deal"