It just keeps getting worse

10000 more jobs to go

MORE than 10,000 local government jobs could be lost in Wales over the next four years, according to estimates based on UK Government figures.

The figure has prompted concern not simply about the immediate impact on jobs and services, but also the future impact on opportunities for school leavers and graduates.

At least two Welsh councils are understood to be examining the possibility of “hundreds” of job cuts in the short-term, with fears budget deficits could quadruple over the next three years. Local government experts last night warned of the biggest squeeze on public services in a generation.

The consequences of the banking crisis, which have already caused significant job losses in the private sector, are expected to feed through to councils during the financial year that starts in April.

Council chief executives and finance directors are briefing local politicians on the options open to them in a climate where experts are predicting the need for bigger cuts than had previously been expected.