Council's planned children's services cuts criticised

Sabiha Aziz, who previously ran the Birmingham Parent Carer Forum, said parents would be worried by the plans

Planned cuts to the children’s services budget in Birmingham have been called “abhorrent” by a campaigner.

Sabiha Aziz, who previously ran the Birmingham Parent Carer Forum, told BBC Radio WM parents would be worried by the plans to shave £57m from its budget next year.

But Labour councillor Karen McCarthy, who oversees the department, insisted vulnerable children and young people would remain a priority for the council.

A draft budget document, published on the Birmingham City Council website, revealed the children and families department was in line to face the biggest financial hit as the authority tried to plug a £300m budget gap.

The children and families department in Birmingham is lined up to take the biggest financial hit

Ms Aziz, who has two children with special educational needs, said: “We’re fully aware how difficult it already is to access services for our children and young people.

“It’s abhorrent that the council is looking at making cuts in this area. The services have already been streamlined to the bone.

“It’s putting added pressure on parent carers that are already feeling the strain of systemic and sustained failure of SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) services in Birmingham for many, many years.

“We’re talking about families going into crisis. There’s a very real human cost here that needs to be understood.”

A report in May said there have been significant improvement since 2022 in Birmingham's SEND services but warned they were being held back by politics at the city council.

Councillor Karen McCarthy insisted supporting the city's most vulnerable children and young people was a priority

Karen McCarthy, the council's cabinet member for children, young people and families, said improvements have been made to services.

"Delivering support to our most vulnerable children and young people will remain a priority for the council," she added.

"No detailed decisions have been made at this stage and there will be a consultation period so we can hear the views of residents and businesses."

Birmingham City Council must plug a £300m budget gap over the next two years

The council effectively declared itself bankrupt in September as it faced the dual challenge of an equal pay liability of £760m and an £80m overspend on an IT project.

The budget document, which outlined an initial £150m of planned savings, marked the first time details of where cuts might happen were publicly revealed.

But it made clear the list “does not constitute the full and final list of savings expected to come forward for delivery in 2024-25” and clarified the plans could still change.

On Tuesday it was confirmed the council would write to the government to ask for permission to raise council tax by more than the 4.99% limit without holding a referendum.