The largest local authority in the UK, Birmingham City Council, is to axe 2,000 jobs - many of which are understood to be in sports, culture and leisure.
The council announced the job cuts as it attempts to plug a £75m hole in its finances, which it attributes to previous overspend in areas of social care.
In its budget report, the council said it will finalise its "detailed workforce plans" by the start of the financial year in March and that it is likely that there will be a reduction of between 1,500 and 2,000 posts.
The council added that maintaining leisure, sport and cultural properties was "particularly challenging", as the services received no funding from central government.
The trade union UNISON reacted angrily to the council's plans.
Dave Prentis, UNISON general secretary, said: "This is a massive number of job cuts, and the council cannot be serious.
"It is absolutely wrong to push local government workers onto the dole queues. Birmingham needs its local government workers working - providing the vital services families in the community need to help them recover from the recession.
"These job cuts could force the city into a downward spiral, shops and businesses will suffer as local people will struggle to afford the essentials.
"It is outrageous that our members found out about this shocking news through the media. We will be seeking urgent meetings with the council, and are calling on them to put a stop to their plans."
