Mental health services in Manchester are facing a £2 million cut in funding this financial year, according to public service union Unison.

Twenty-six positions are to be cut, including the homeless mental health team, Asian mental health services, all the acupuncture services, a psychology assistant post and a welfare rights post.

Forum Response: Unison

Karen Reissmann, a spokeswoman for Unison in Manchester, told ePolitix.com: "£2 million is to be cut off the mental health budget this year. This cut is a direct result of the PFI project in South Manchester which has cost £40 million from Manchester's health economy.

"People are furious, particularly after the Budget announcement of a one per cent increase in national insurance to at last fund our NHS."