BIG differences in council redundancy packages have been revealed with some authorities paying twice as much as their neighbours.

An investigation by The Northern Echo has found council workers in the North- East and North Yorkshire are receiving redundancy payouts of up to 66 weeks’ wages.

In contrast, others are getting the statutory minimum of up to 30 weeks, depending on age and time served.

The disparities have emerged as councils draw up plans to make thousands of redundancies in an attempt to save more than £200m next year alone.

Last night, union officials hit out at councils for “eroding” redundancy terms.

The criticism came as Stockton Borough Council workers held a protest outside the town’s central library, where members met to discuss reducing the authority’s redundancy terms.

At present, the council offers redundant staff up to 66 weeks’ wages, however members agreed to review the policy.

Last night, a council spokeswoman said: “Cabinet agreed to start consultation with trade unions to reduce the multiplier with the aim of reducing costs.”

Darlington Borough Council currently pays up to 66 weeks, with a multiplier of 2.2, although it is proposed to reduce this maximum to 52 weeks with a multiplier of 1.73.

Until recently Durham County Council County Council paid a maximum of 82.5 weeks’ wages, with a multiplier of 2.75.

However, a new policy has been agreed which would reduce this to up to 30 weeks for compulsory redundancies, but with the discretion to pay up to 52.5, at a multiplier of 1.75, for voluntary redundancies.

In contrast, North Yorkshire County Council, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool and Sunderland all pay the statutory minimum.

Redcar and Cleveland pays the statutory minimum for compulsory redundancies, but gives up to 66 weeks to those who volunteer.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said its redundancy payments rarely exceeded £25,000.

“Our scheme is capped at 30 weeks, being the most which can be accrued years. This is paid at either an actual weeks salary or the statutory maximum of £500, depending on which terms and conditions staff are under.”

Critising the erosion of redundancy terms, Karen Loughlin, regional organiser at Unison, said: “We are working with councils to reduce their costs, but if they continue to drive down the redundancy package, the reason why people would opt for voluntary redundancy will be lost.”