Council workers face benefit cuts

Nottinghamshire County Council may cut redundancy pay and holiday entitlement as part of proposals to save £2.9m.

The authority said its current benefits were some of the most generous in the UK and changes would bring it in line with other councils.

Allowances given to staff who use their own car for work will also be looked at as part of the proposed alterations.

The changes, which would affect 28,000 staff, could come into force next month and unions are being consulted.

'Difficult choices'

Council Leader Kay Cutts said: "The sorry state of the public finances means we have to look very carefully at our bottom line.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly. Our employees know that we are going to have to make some difficult choices to balance the budget and we will meet that challenge together."

The proposals include removing additional annual leave for employees with more than 10 years service, reducing redundancy pay to 45 weeks and withdrawing essential car users' allowance.

Car mileage would also be cut to 40p per mile.

A final decision on the proposals is expected in November.