Westminster City Council to cut 520 posts, mostly in management

Westminster City Council in London announced on 20 October 2026 that it will cut 520 posts. It currently employs 3,720 people. According to the council, the highest proportion of the reductions will come from managerial bands, including senior posts at the authority.

Savings and the budget gap

The council estimates that the job reductions will save £29m over the coming year. A further £16m is expected from changes to how it leases or rents buildings, together with savings on contracts.

That is only part of the plan to close a funding gap that the council puts at £160m by 2029. The borough links the gap to government decisions on local authority funding. Earlier this year the council launched an engagement exercise asking residents which services they most want to protect.

What the council says

Staff were told at a staff-wide meeting at City Hall led by chief executive Stuart Love. The council stresses that the cuts focus on management roles rather than front-line posts. Its statement also says the borough must protect taxpayers' money, become leaner and look for more commercial ways to generate revenue.

What happens next

Further consultation will now take place with the people affected. They are due to leave the council between April and December 2027.

What it means for residents

The announcement does not say which specific services will be reduced; the council says the cuts are not mainly aimed at staff who deal directly with residents. People employed by Westminster City Council can follow information on the consultation. Residents of the borough can take part in the council's survey on priority services.