Staff levels at local authorities fall 25%

Some county councils have lost a third of their staff since the start of the recession, as figures show staffing levels across local authorities have fallen by almost 25% over the past five years.

Figures released by the Department of Environment figures reveal more than 9,000 local authority workers have departed the public service in that time.

A total of 37,243 people were employed by councils five years ago but that number had fallen to 9,018 by last March — a reduction of 24.2% nationally. But the reduction in staff has varied significantly across councils.