Union bosses have warned that the failure of Brighton and Hove’s political parties to set a budget in the next few days could lead to “carnage”.

The GMB have warned that if the city’s three political parties fail to compromise on a budget it could lead to Local Government minister Eric Pickles stepping in and ordering the council to run just statutory services.

The unions warn this could lead to large job losses and have called on councillors to find a common way.

The city council has until March 11 to meet it legal obligations and set a balanced budget with crunch talks held tonight at 6pm.

Council officers have briefed councillors on all sides of their responsibilities and the consequences of not setting a budget.

Branch secretary Mark Turner said: “I understand that people have their principles but sometimes those principles have to be set aside, the alternative is much worse.

“If they are unable to set that budget we could see the loss of jobs and services, the impact on the public would be immense.

“The Government could step in and say we will only provide statutory services and that would lead to job losses.

“They would love the opportunity to do that 12 months before an election.”

Council leader Jason Kitcat accused his Tory colleagues of wanting to see Local Government minister Eric Pickles come to Brighton and Hove and “further slash funding for council services”.

To follow tonight’s meeting via our live blog visit www.theargus.co.uk and see tomorrow’s paper for all the information from the crunch talks.