CHILD safety is being “placed in jeopardy” by severe cuts to education services at North Ayrshire Council, public-service union GMB warned yesterday.

The council has recently announced a series of “unprecedented” cuts worth £500,000 over the coming months.

GMB Scotland warned the cuts would have a direct impact on front-line services in North Ayrshire schools and lead to “a severe negative impact” on pupils’ ability to learn.

A union survey of clerical assistants and pupil welfare and home inclusion officers found that 100 per cent believed parents would be concerned about their child’s safety should front-line services at schools be reduced.

GMB Scotland organiser Paul Arkison branded the survey result “a seriously worrying development,” particularly as it came from members working in the education system who would witness the impact of the cuts first-hand.

“The impact of these cuts will be felt far and wide,” Mr Arkison said, as pupil safety is put at risk through reductions in staff numbers and cuts to hours, leading to increased workloads and less pay.

North Ayrshire Council claimed child safety would “certainly not” be compromised by the cuts.