Social workers in Southampton have been told they will receive a £1,400 bonus so they are unaffected by the city's public sector pay cuts.

Many Southampton City Council staff including those in social care jobs have been striking as a result of the 4.5 per cent pay cuts which come into play today.

However, council staff appear to have recognised the importance of retaining their social workers and will hope that the bonus will put an end to any industrial action from that particular sector.

The move has angered council workers who haven't been offered any sort of incentive to remain in their jobs.

However, council leader Royston Smith remained defiant by claiming that Southampton City Council was committed to keeping children safe.

Speaking to BBC News, he said: "What I say to the unions and to Labour, if they think this unfair to other staff, we will keep our children safe now, tomorrow, next week and into the future.

"If they don't think that's not an admirable position, they're in a wrong job."

The Southern Daily Echo report that a third of social workers in the region have agreed to the council's new terms, whilst the rest remain undecided over whether to stay in Southampton.