JOBS look set to be in jeopardy across Lancashire children’s homes and young people’s services as part of a major cuts package.

Conservative leaders at County Hall claim they have tried to minimise the impact on frontline operations, following reductions in Government grants totalling £22million.

But opposition councillors insist the most vulnerable will be hit hardest by a raft of spending cuts announced today.

Around £400,000 will be saved from staffing costs at Lancashire’s children’s homes, with another £150,000 reduction earmarked for the young people’s service.

General job reviews across the children and young people’s and environment directorates will reduce spending by £961,000.

Labour leader Coun Jennifer Mein said the cuts were ‘unnecessary’ as Chancellor George Osborne did not need to reduce the area-based grant for councils this year.

Coun Mohamed Iqbal, who represents Brierfield and Nelson North, said: “Clearly the Tory-controlled county council is following the lead of its coalition nationally.

“It would appear the most vulnerable, including young people and the elderly, will be hardest hit.”

Cuts of £50,000 to the teenage pregnancy service and £300,000 for the Connexions careers service also alarmed Hyndburn county councillor Ciaran Wells.

Coun Wells, of Great Harwood, added: “Unfortunately it appears that they are making choices which affect those who are least able to stand up for themselves in society.”

Other spending cuts, including £500,000 saved on the Pennine Reach quality bus route and the closure of Padiham household waste centre, have been reported previously.

Council leader Coun Geoff Driver said: “We have asked managers to find ways of protecting them by saving money from non-frontline activities.

“But there is no escaping the fact Lancashire has to contribute to relieving the huge burden on public finances nationally.

“I am very clear that I will do my absolute utmost to protect services for the most vulnerable in the county.”

County officials said no firm figure could be placed on the total number of jobs under threat but some losses could be achieved by scrapping unfilled vacancies and early retirements.

The cuts total £10.98million, with £10million worth of performance grant-related schemes, across a range of directorates, having already been shelved.