William Eichler 22 April 2025

GMB: Local government workforce cut by 600,000

GMB: Local government workforce cut by 600,000 image
© GBJSTOCK / Shutterstock.com.

Local authorities across England and Wales have lost almost 600,000 members of staff since 2012, a public sector union has found.

In 2012, English and Welsh councils employed 1,894,700 workers, according to an analysis of data from the Office of National Statistics by the union GMB.

The number of workers across the two nations is now 1,295,300 – a drop of 599,400 and more than 30% of all jobs.

GMB’s analysis found that Birmingham was the worst hit, losing almost 27,000 workers or 60% of its workforce.

Birmingham was followed by Derbyshire (18,405 job loses, 49.9% headcount decrease), Staffordshire (16,086, 63.1%), Hertfordshire (12391, 34.4%) and Essex (11985, 39.0%).

The next five councils identified by GMB were Cumbria (11939, 64.0%), Surrey (11,629, 39.6%), Kent (10,275, 33.9%), Bradford (9,616, 45.7%), and Norfolk (8,991, 38.1%).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Housing Assurance Service Manager

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£55,675 - £56,649
We’re building a brand-new assurance team in our Homes & Neighbourhoods service Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£24,404 - £24,790
Working within the Kirklees Public Health Improvement team Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Climate Change Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£40,476 - £42,708
Are you a passionate and enthusiastic Climate Change Officer Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Transition Home Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 13 £45,718 - £49,764 (Pay Award Pending)
Could you support young people to realise their individual potential and prepare them for their journey towards independence. NOT JUST A PLACE OF WOR Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SEND and Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker (Communication and Interaction Team)

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
We are recruiting a SEND & Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker to join our Specialist SEND & Inclusion Team. We would be particularly intereste Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner