PROTESTS against Government funding cuts have been stepped up in York as campaigners launch a week of action.

The York Stop The Cuts group voiced their anger at the spending squeeze, which has seen City of York Council battling to save £21 million next year, with a city-centre demonstration on Saturday joined by unions, community groups and worried residents.

The group will stage a public meeting to discuss alternatives to jobs cuts and services at Clements Hall in Nunthorpe Road at 7.30pm tomorrow, followed by a St Helen’s Square rally on Thursday ahead of a meeting where the council’s 2011/12 budget, which has earmarked 170 job losses within the authority next year, will be decided.