UK / Newcastle Council cuts 1,300 jobs

More than 1,300 jobs are to be axed by a North East council struggling to trim £90m from its budget.

Newcastle City Council – which employs 10,500 staff – will also shut 10 libraries, although it said its new £24m city centre library was safe.

A spokesman blamed rising costs and a greater demand for services for the cuts.

Leader of the Labour-run council, Nick Forbes, said it was “one of the darkest days for public service in Newcastle”.

But there was some good news – the council is to freeze council tax to help “hard-pressed” families, a spokesman said.éé

via BBC News – Newcastle Council cuts 1,300 jobs to save £90m.