N※N

Birmingham City Council and unions agree 'historic outcome' to equal pay claim

The article from the Evening Standard discusses the financial crisis at Birmingham City Council, which has led to the issuance of a Section 114 notice, effectively declaring the council bankrupt. This notice restricts all new expenditures to only essential services like safeguarding vulnerable people and statutory obligations. The council, one of the largest local authorities in Europe, faces a £760 million equal pay liability and an £87 million in-budget deficit. The situation has been exacerbated by issues with a new IT system, which has cost £100 million. Unions GMB and Unison have expressed concerns over potential job losses and service cuts, with GMB's regional secretary criticizing the council's management for the financial mismanagement. The council leader, John Cotton, has acknowledged the severity of the situation, attributing it to long-standing issues and government funding cuts. The government has responded by sending commissioners to oversee the council's operations, and there are calls for a thorough investigation into the council's financial practices.

Read the Full London Evening Standard Article at:
[ https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/birmingham-city-council-gmb-unison-birmingham-west-midlands-b1199079.html ]