Health department announces voluntary redundancies

The Department of Health and Social Care says it's looking for staff to take voluntary redundancy in its latest cost-cutting measure.

The department says it wants managers to take up the government's Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme, but hasn't said how much it wants to save or how many jobs it wants to shed.

It comes after a freeze on recruiting non-essential roles and the cutting of the contracted-out meals on wheels service.

Staff have until December 29 to apply - and will get a lump sum of up to a year's pay depending how long they've worked at the DHSC.