Birmingham City Council: More than 100 doctors sign letter urging council to reconsider cuts

More than 100 doctors have signed a letter urging Birmingham City Council to reconsider plans to cut £51m from children's services.

The Labour-run authority is in a dire situation due to factors including rising demand for services, an equal pay fiasco, the disastrous implementation of a new IT and finance system and the impact of years of austerity.

The council faces an enormous budget gap of at least £300 million – with chief executive Deborah Cadman recently warning of ‘unpalatable’ decisions to come. The city council published its draft document on Monday (February 19). Now, the BBC has reported that 109 doctors have expressed concern that the plans to cut £51m from children's service could be detrimental young people and families.

'Cuts will handicap our ability to keep children safe'

In the letter, the doctors said: "Children's service directors have a legal obligation to provide services addressing education, wellbeing and safeguarding of all children in their council area.

"The threatened cuts will severely handicap our ability to keep children safe and well. As ever, the vulnerable and marginalised will be placed at the highest risk."

In the letter seen by the BBC, the doctors said they understand the difficult situation the local authority finds itself in, but they urged the council to reconsider its plans.