Labour and the trade unions reacted with anger to Birmingham City Council’s cuts plan, and elements of the package were also criticised by a prominent business leader.
Birmingham Chamber chief executive Jerry Blackett said he doubted whether private sector firms were in a healthy enough position to offer employment to the 2,450 council workers who are expected to lose their jobs this year.
Mr Blackett said: “Job creation in Birmingham is not strong. We have had a few successes like Jaguar Land Rover, but on the whole large companies are not creating jobs.”
He also questions plans to start charging motorists to park on city centre streets at night and on Sundays.
Mr Blackett added: “Anything which deters people from using our restaurants and theatres is not helpful.
“It’s certainly not good for consumers. You hope the quality of Birmingham’s entertainment offer will overcome the added cost.”
The move to impose parking charges will raise about £300,000 a year, about one-tenth of one per cent of the amount of money the council has to find in cuts.
The council’s opposition Labour leader, Sir Albert Bore, said proposals to cut £320 million over the next four years would hit people who were vulnerable and on their own.
Sir Albert (Lab Ladywood) said: “Contrary to what has been said by the Tory/Lib-Dem coalition, their proposed budget does not protect the most vulnerable, does not help people back into work, does not help improve education and skills and does not make Birmingham a cleaner and safer city.
“Those at the sharp end of these cuts will be horrified to discover that the Council intends to borrow £118.8 million over the next two years to build the new Library of Birmingham in the city centre.”
The main local government union Unison said social care would be badly hit by “spiteful” cuts, with 10,000 people set to receive a reduced level of help.
Unison assistant general secretary, Roger McKenzie, said: “This is disastrous for the people of Birmingham. The cuts announced amount to social and economic vandalism and they threaten the economic viability and social fabric of our city.
“The council has made a political decision to push ahead with punitive cuts that threaten the very viability of public services.
“These cuts are too fast and too deep and they are pursuing them with relish. The decision to front-load these cuts with £212 million cut in the first year alone is particularly spiteful.”
>> Where the council axe will fall >>
