A DEMONSTRATION against cuts to care budgets will be held outside Poole Civic Centre this evening.

Members of the Bournemouth and Poole Anti-Cuts Coalition will be gathering outside the centre from 6pm, ahead of he full council meeting, which starts at 7pm.

A spokesman said: “Unimaginable a few years ago, private care providers are now slashing staff wages by up to 50 per cent. If carers refuse the cut they are being dismissed and re-engaged on the lower rate.

“Many have been forced out of a job they loved and worked in for decades, leaving those cared for without their long-term staff, who they have grown to trust.

“Now 40 per cent of the cuts have been rolled out nationally, many local people in receipt of care or working as a carer are being subjected to loss of benefits, mobility cars, day care and many carers facing this cut in their wage.”

The group said Borough of Poole had been identified by private care providers as reducing its budgets, forcing it to slash wages.