Tens of thousands of council jobs could be lost unless the Government addresses the current funding shortfall, Unison has warned.

The trade union has analysed the impact of the £10bn ’funding gap’ for 2020/21, which amounts to a 21% reduction in spending compared to the previous financial year.

It found that if social care and public health were protected from funding cuts, every other council service would see cuts of 54%.

This could could lead to the loss of 51,000 children’s social workers, 141,000 adult care workers and almost 46,000 refuse collectors, according to the research.

Unison head of local government, Jon Richards, said: 'Local authorities are the key to every community, with staff delivering vital services. Local government must have the money it needs, especially as demands on local services are likely to rise.

'The money pledged by ministers so far is a drop in the ocean. Councils need the full support of government if communities are to avoid serious harm.'