Essex is worst-hit county for damaging cuts to children’s centres

Essex County Council has closed more children’s centres than any other local authority in England since 2010, UNISON research published today shows.​ The closures have devastated communities and left vulnerable families without access to vital education and health support, says the union. Freedom of Information (FoI) requests reveal that over a third (38%) of council-run […]

Closure of half of youth centres in east of England could have lasting impact on society

Huge cuts to youth services in eastern England risk creating a ‘lost generation’ of young people unable to access vital support at a crucial time in their lives, UNISON says today. New research conducted by the union has found that funding cuts have led to the closure of more than half of council-run youth centres […]

Eastern councils face ‘dire’ financial crisis totalling more than £330m

Councils across the Eastern region have a hole in their finances of £332m collectively for the coming financial year, making it extremely likely they will have to make huge cuts in essential services and jobs, says a report published today by UNISON. The figures, based on financial information gathered from local authorities across the region […]