LAY OFFS and hiring agency staff has now become a necessity for the recession hit council – despite chiefs saying just weeks ago that neither would happen. On March 2 a spokesman said they would have to cut 150 jobs but that these would be through volunta

LAY OFFS and hiring agency staff has now become a necessity for the recession hit council - despite chiefs saying just weeks ago that neither would happen.

On March 2 a spokesman said they would have to cut 150 jobs but that these would be through voluntary redundancy and "natural wastage" - the axing of already empty posts.

But the POST has now learned jobs are on the line at Barking and Dagenham's Revenues and Benefits Service.

The cash stricken council, who must cut �30million from their budget over the next three years, also plan to hire in temporary agency staff, at more cost to the taxpayer than fulltime employees.

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