Council faces 500-job cuts package

A council says it might have to shed 500 jobs in a "very painful" cuts package.

Blackburn with Darwen Council in Lancashire said its needs to plug a Government funding gap of up to £30 million, a fifth of its total budget.

The job losses are part of a two-year savings plan which would affect key services, said the Labour-run council.

Savings of £40 million have been made since 2010, it added.

Council leader Kate Hollern said: "Sadly our worst fears have been confirmed and we are going to have to make some very painful decisions.

"Given so much has already been cut, we are not able to protect even the areas we know are important to people. Services will be cut and jobs will be lost again.

"The cuts are coming on top of the economic pressures, growing demand for services and new responsibilities that are coming our way from Government. Blackburn with Darwen faces greater disadvantages than other places and the cuts will be a further damaging blow."

She added: "The council has a good track record of coping in hard times and are committed to making every penny count so will use what we have left to focus on the big priorities like jobs and protecting vulnerable people."

The savings plan will be discussed by councillors at the end of the month before the budget is set on March 4.