Westminster City Council has announced that 520 roles will be removed from a workforce of 3,720. The authority, which serves central London, says the move is part of becoming a leaner organisation in response to reduced government funding. Staff were told at a meeting at City Hall led by chief executive Stuart Love on Tuesday 20 October, and consultation will now follow.

Management roles bear the largest share

The council says the highest proportion of cuts will fall on managerial bands, including senior posts, rather than front-line roles. Cabinet member for value for money and finance, Councillor Paul Fisher, described the announcement as difficult, while arguing that setting the right course now would pay dividends in later years. He said the focus was on management roles, not front-line posts, and pointed to greater use of technology and commercial opportunities to maintain valued services.

Savings still leave a large gap

The job reductions are expected to save £29 million over the coming year. A further £16 million is expected from overhauling how the council leases or rents buildings, together with savings on contracts. Even so, the council says those savings form only part of closing a £160 million funding gap predicted by 2029, which it links directly to the Government's Fairer Funding programme. It has already warned that a rise in council tax for 2027/28 is inevitable, although no rate has yet been decided. Further detail on departmental savings is expected in an update next month.

Sources: Westminster City Council; Jobs Ledger.