A second Yorkshire council is planning to hive vital services for vulnerable people off to the private sector.

Sheffield council plans to let privateers bid for a contract providing support for people with learning disabilities — work currently done by 350 NHS workers.

The aim is to axe millions of pounds from the council’s care budget as it struggles to cope with savage government cuts.

It follows in the footsteps of neighbouring Doncaster council, which took work to support people with learning disabilities to live independent lives from the NHS and handed it to Essex-based privateer Care UK — the lowest bidder.

The NHS staff’s jobs were transferred to Care UK, which immediately cut wages by around £5,000 a year, provoking a series of strikes by the 150 members of public-service union Unison. The dispute continues.

The NHS has carried out the work in Sheffield for 50 years.

Unison has launched a campaign against the council’s “reprehensible” plan.

“This service is provided to some of the most vulnerable and needy members of our society and their families, yet Sheffield City Council officials seem to think it is justifiable to auction it off to the cheapest bidder,” said Unison Sheffield Community Health branch secretary Sue Highton.

A public meeting takes place today at 1pm at St Mary’s Church, Bramall Lane, Sheffield.