Cardiff rises against 'immoral' £22m public service cuts

Private security guards erected barriers to keep protesters away from City Hall where Labour Councillor Russell Goodway was setting out a budget which included over £22 million in cuts.

Campaigners have already won a temporary reprieve for Cardiff's horse riding school and the council's finance chief was expected to postpone further cuts to social services and leisure facilities.

The budget was also expected to include additional funding for a disabled children's play project, extra investment in children's services and a £1.4m boost to the schools budget.

But the council's ruling Labour group was expected to force through cuts to other social services, including an £80,000 reduction in funding for overnight respite care for severely disabled children.

Martine O'Callaghan, who has an autistic son and founded parents' network Cwtch, said councillors were "eroding services for families who have to fight for everything we get."

Local sports teams angry at a rise in pitch fees also joined trade unionists and community campaigners at the huge rally, which Cardiff Trades Council secretary Ramon Corria said "could be the start of a massive movement" in the city.

GMB regional organiser Ken Daniels told the crowd his members were "incensed" at the budget which he said will see 315 employees lose their jobs.

And Unite Wales regional officer Andrea Jones said the proposals were "ill-thought-through and arbitrary"

She added: "We have suggested a number of alternative ways that savings could be made while preserving front-line services for the public and the jobs of our members - including reducing the salary of senior directors, some of whom are set to be earning just £20,000 a year less than the Prime Minister."

The city council has drawn up the cuts in part as a result of its council tax freeze policy and partly due to cuts to central funding.

Plaid Cymru Councillor Neil McEvoy said the proposals were "the most right-wing budget in the history of the city."