Thurrock Council mustn’t be left to wither on the vine

Thurrock mustn’t be left to wither on the vine, UNISON says today after plans to slash 500 jobs were announced.

The Tory-run council is looking to make £34m worth of savings to deal with a covid-related black hole compounded by changes to borrowing rules.

UNISON Eastern regional organiser Leon Kilbourn said: “These cuts will be a hammer blow to Thurrock. Staff simply won’t be able to continue providing the same level of services after losing one in four of their colleagues.

“But this austerity is made in Westminster – after years of chronic underfunding, central government provided nowhere near enough cash to local councils to cope with the pandemic.

“Thurrock can’t be left to wither on the vine. Unless there’s a significant funding boost it will be local residents who suffer.”