THE most vulnerable members of society will suffer under Dudley Council cuts according to the authority’s Labour group.

A total of 52 compulsory redundancies were announced last month with many of the axed positions in the children’s services and adult, community and housing directorates.

Conservative council leaders say they are keeping compulsory job cuts to a minimum but their Labour opponents argue the changes will hit people where it hurts.

Cllr Tim Crumpton, Labour spokesman for children’s services, said: “There will be a knock-on effect for voluntary groups, kids don’t have a voice, they haven’t got a vote so the Tories are not bothered.

“They are hitting people who can’t hit back.”

Labour finance spokesman, Cllr Pete Lowe, said: “This the first of a long train of job losses in Dudley Council.”

The Lye councillor argues Labour would make savings by cutting waste and consulting with community groups to identify where services could be more efficient.

He also believes the council could do more to lobby central government for more cash.

Cllr Lowe said: “We need a local authority which is going to stand up for the people of Dudley.”

Cllr Liz Walker, Dudley cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We're left with people who were specifically appointed on grant funded posts by the last government.

“Some we just cannot afford, we are still working, trying to avoid compulsory redundancies, we're still looking to assist people where they want to go .

"I won't ever say we can do without people - I think some of the jobs were a little over and above the requirements .

"We're trying to make sure we run the service as effectively and efficiently as possible - but it's a completely different service to the one I came to five years ago."