Trade unions have reacted in dismay at the news Birmingham City Council is to cut a further 1,000 jobs, calling it a ‘bleak’ day for the local authority.

Yesterday, the council announced it will need to cut 1,000 jobs, despite already reducing its workforce by 33% since 2010. The council must find savings of more than £285m over the next two years.

Unite said the council was being ‘forced into an impossible position’ due to cuts in government funding.

Lynne Shakespeare, Unite regional officer, said: ‘The government is letting the people of Birmingham down in the most appalling way, as it squeezes ever more money from the council’s coffers. The services people rely on to look after their children and care for elderly relatives will be slashed.

’Such a devastating blow to the people of Birmingham should send shock waves through Westminster. Cuts on this scale are simply not sustainable.’

Gillian Whittaker, GMB organiser, said ‘This announcement that 1,000 jobs will go this year is a further blow to Birmingham City Council workers.

‘The services across Birmingham are already stretched and our members are already over-worked. To find more cuts across Birmingham and local services is very upsetting as our members are already uncertain about their jobs.

‘I will be in contact with the council to obtain as much information as possible and to find out where these jobs cuts will take place. We will expect a Labour Council to look at alternatives and to mitigate the worst aspects of these cuts.’

Leader of the council, Sir Albert Bore, described the budget as ‘extremely difficult’ and warned government cuts to funding will put many councils in a financial crisis.