PROTESTORS have gathered outside Southampton's Civic Centre this afternoon, with the council set to approve more than 200 job losses.

The cash-strapped Labour-run council will meet to discuss the city's budget for 2015/16.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, 226 jobs are recommended to go as the authority bids to plug a £31m gap in the city's finances.

Council tax is set to rise by 1.99 per cent, while public loos in Portswood and Woolston will close if the cuts are approved this afternoon.

Also included in the budget, although approved earlier this year, are the closures of Woodside Lodge care home, Kentish Road respite centre and day services for people with learning disabilities.

And when added to other cuts already given the green light by Labour leaders, almost 300 jobs are set to go at the council this year.

At last night's council cabinet meeting leader Simon Letts said: “We are not in a position to save services only then to close them the following year. I think that is a dishonest way to go with the public.

“Some decisions will go through because of the trajectory of public finances.”

Members of the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition have gathered outside the Civic Centre to protest against the proposals.

They have called on Labour to perform a last-ditch U-turn and not vote them through.

He said: “We call on Southampton's Labour councillors to match the courage of the city's workers and communities who have stood up to resist the cuts and refuse to vote for the cuts.”