Protests over compulsory redundancies at Hull City Council got underway last week. The ruling Liberal Democrat group announced plans to slash the workforce by around 300 to save the council ‘millions' over the next 12 months. This prompted the first demonstration on Friday. A spokesman explained that employees at Hull had been given the opportunity to apply for early retirement or voluntary redundancy and were offered severance packages. A cabinet meeting on Monday will discuss the applications for early departure and enforcement of compulsory redundancies. At the full council meeting last Thursday, Labour put forward an amendment, which overruled Lib Dem plans to scrap free school meals. Labour MPs John Prescott, Alan Johnson and Diana Johnson had all backed a campaign to save the scheme launched nearly three years ago.
