Portsmouth councillors approves budget cuts

Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said some services would be protected

Portsmouth City Council has agreed to all but one cut to next year's budget.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled council will cut £15m from its spending in the next financial year and up to 180 people are expected to lose their jobs.

Councillors agreed to parking fee rises and cutting £3m from children's services, but voted against cutting a subsidy to the Hayling Island ferry.

Protest group Portsmouth Against Cuts Together (Pact) called on the authority to use money from its reserves.

The group was part of a protest outside the council's offices before the meeting at 1400 GMT.

Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said, despite the cuts, no libraries, museums or youth centres will close.

He added: "What we are trying to do is protect the most vulnerable people in society and also the services that people value the most."