Spending cuts proposed by the Conservatives could see many council-run services in England disappear by the end of the next parliament, union Unison has warned.
On the eve of the UK General Election, the trade union says Coalition cuts since 2010 have deprived many communities of popular local facilities including swimming pools and libraries as well as essential support services like children’s centres and women’s refuges.
However Unison's report, An Austerity Audit, warns that worse is yet to come if the Conservatives are re-elected.
It calls into question the prime minister’s claim that just £1 in every £100 spent by government departments over the next two years would be cut under Tory spending plans.
It says the Government has already cut the funding to English local councils by 37% since May 2010 – the equivalent of £232 for every person in the country.
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: 'As a consequence of council funding cuts, local people are now having to pay more for services such as on-street parking, social care, the registration of births, deaths and marriages, and burials and cremations.'
He added: 'Local communities will be unrecognisable by 2020 if the Conservatives keep the keys to Downing Street. It’s time to give local government some respite from the austerity axe.'
LocalGov has approached the Conservative Party for comment.