TRADE unions and community groups called on Glasgow City Council to set a “no cuts budget” yesterday, as they lobbied councillors meeting to approve the budget for the next financial year.

Unions Unison, GMB, Unite and EIS as well as community activists lobbied the Labour-run council as it prepared to slash £133 million from the budget over the next two years, despite having already made cuts of £250m since 2010.

Castlemilk Against Austerity activist Jean Devlin said it was “scandalous” that the council was even considering these cuts at a time when “people are living in dire poverty, scared to wash their clothes or heat their homes” for fear of the cost.