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

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Technical Assistant - Place Services

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum
Technical Assistant - Place ServicesPermanent, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Family Worker Link Role (Family Solutions)

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum
Family Worker Link Role (Family Solutions)Fixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Registration Service Training & Development Specialist

Essex County Council
£26725.00 - £31441.00 per annum
Registration Service Training & Development SpecialistSecondment, Full Time£26,725 to £31,441 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Family Worker Family Solutions - Link Role

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Family Worker Family Solutions - Link RolePermanent, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner