Community improvement charity Groundwork UK plans to reduce its staff numbers as part of a restructuring process in anticipation of a reduction in government funding.

A Groundwork UK spokesman said the charity, which among its services provides training and routes to employment, was currently awaiting a decision on its funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government and was refocusing its operations in response to changes in the funding landscape.

“A number of functions currently carried out by Groundwork UK at national level are being reduced in order to ensure that in future maximum resources can continue to be allocated to Groundwork's local work in disadvantaged communities across the UK.

“This process will necessitate a restructure and reduction in staffing levels at Groundwork UK's office.  Staff are currently being consulted on the change proposals.”

Groundwork is a federation of independent Groundwork charities around the UK and Groundwork UK is the national body of the Groundwork Federation, responsible for acting as a national voice and monitoring internal agreements and contracts.

In 2008/9 Groundwork UK received £14m of its £27.6m income from CLG. It employed 146 people.