Using Birmingham City Council reserves 'not an option'

Birmingham City Council leader Sir Albert Bore has said claims the authority could dip into its reserves to help it out of its financial crisis are incorrect.

Council leaders said on Thursday about 1,000 jobs were expected to go over two years to help the authority save £102m.

Sir Albert said they were having to take tough action because of "hugely significant" government cuts.

Eric Pickles, the secretary of state for communities and local government, has said the council has reserves it could use to help boost its finances.

However, Sir Albert said council accountants had raised concerns that the reserves were already lower than they should be.