Following Leeds City Council’s announcement that they are looking to cut vital services, including closing a popular care home, GMB Union are calling on residents to join their campaign to protect the city’s future

This week, Leeds City Council announced that up to 750 jobs could be lost across the city. GMB members are concerned that such widespread cuts will fundamentally damage core services for ordinary residents.

With a funding gap of more than £160 million over the next three years, government must step in to provide a fair funding settlement that allows councils such as Leeds to deliver vital services.

Proposals include the loss of care homes and radical cuts to children’s services. These are essential and the proposed cuts are so deep, they could be life threatening. 

Additionally, Leeds City Council’s own staff have faced unending cuts for over a decade with the stress and pressure of their workloads increasing. They are now met with more uncertainty, including possible compulsory redundancies, during a cost-of-living crisis. 

The Conservative Government must address the funding gaps to enable local authorities to stay alive and provide the services they were born to deliver.  

GMB will be building a campaign alliance open to everyone in Leeds who wants to fight for the future of public services.

Desiree Johnston, GMB Senior Organiser, said:

“Although GMB understand the funding crisis faced by Leeds City Council, we will not stand back and allow our members to be the ones that take the brunt of these pressures.

 “We will organise and fight these proposals.

 “We are calling on Leeds residents to join us in our campaign to save services across the city.”