LIVERPOOL council workers will today be told that 1,500 of them are being made redundant.

Between 300 and 500 jobs will also be lost in the voluntary sector over the next two years, as the council axes funding to charities.

The council’s 9,000-strong workforce will arrive at work today to find a three-page message from council leader Joe Anderson warning that one in six council jobs are at risk due to Government cuts.

The council has to cut £91m from an available budget of £400m, and said it will inevitably have to make compulsory redundancies. “Life-line” services for the young, elderly and disabled will not escape the cuts and libraries and leisure centres will also face the axe.

Liverpool council leader Joe Anderson last night apologised to staff for the level of cuts that are necessary due to a 22% cut in government funding.

He said: “I have never had to make such a difficult and heartbreaking decision, and I know everyone working on the budget feels the same.

“I am acutely aware just how worrying the current situation is for all staff. I am sorry I can’t offer you any more reassurance at this stage.”

The council is still appealing to the Government for more money to help avoid having to make the most painful cuts.

Despite having some of the highest levels of deprivation, Liverpool was the worst-hit city in the country by government cuts.