JOBS could be at risk as Ealing Council faces massive budget cuts over the next four years.

The borough is grappling with ‘unprecedented’ cuts of £96m, which could put as many 400 staff at risk of redundancy.

The cabinet will consider plans for around £50m of savings on November 25, with further cuts to be decided at future meetings.

Despite this, council leader Julian Bell has pledged to freeze council tax for the next year and blamed the changes on a reduction in government funding.

“The scale of cuts we are now facing means we have had no choice but to re-think how the council operates to stay within our vastly-reduced means,” he said.

“We know local people have been experiencing tough financial times, too, and we would not wish to add any extra burden by increasing bills. This is why we will freeze council tax again next year.”

He paid tribute to talented staff and said the process would not be easy.

Ealing may be forced to fundamentally change or stop some services by spring 2019 and it will have seen its budget halved over the period from 2009-19.

It hopes voluntary redundancies will cover many of the job losses.

Cabinet member for finance, Cllr Yvonne Johnson, said a lack of funding and a rising population meant resources would be spread thinly.

She said: “While there are no easy solutions or choices, we have a good track record in making these decisions in a fair and balanced way. This experience will be invaluable in the coming months.”