Protesters send anti-cuts message to chancellor

Campaigners, union members and residents have gathered to protest against proposed cuts to welfare in Dorset.

The event in Dorchester's Brewery Square on Tuesday called for a stop to the cuts in disability benefits ahead of the chancellor's Spring Statement.

There are concerns that a number of jobs within Dorset Council could be at risk and that primary and secondary schools will not be able to cover their costs next year.

The authority said it needed to change to remain "financially sustainable".

The National Education Union (NEU) is currently consulting members on whether they want to strike.

"What worries me is the lack of funding for education," Rebecca Pearce, the branch secretary for the NEU's Dorset branch, said.

"We've faced real cuts between 2010 and now and its just not enough money for schools to operate.

"Now schools are looking at funding cuts, they're looking at increased class sizes, they're looking at cutting jobs and not replacing them."

Rachel Reeves has ruled out further tax rises, but said the government faces difficult choices because of the weak performance of the UK economy and world events.

Unison's Dorset Council rep Becky Brookman said she worried about the impact of job cuts at the authority.

"We know that there are going to be about 380 full-time equivalent roles going at Dorset Council within the next two years," she said.

"That is actually going to be a lot more because you have got a lot more female, part-time workers so there could be about 400 to 450 jobs in all [affected].

"That is due to Dorset Council needing to save £25m because central government is not fully funding council services as it should be."

Simon Clifford, Dorset Council cabinet member for finance, said it had "made no secret" about its intention to make job cuts.

He said: "We need to change the way the council works to make sure services are financially sustainable for the future and deliver the best outcomes for everyone in Dorset.

"Ultimately, this will mean a leaner council with fewer staff."

"We don't yet know what the government's spring statement will mean for us, but we will continue to lobby for fairer funding for Dorset."

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.