A major squeeze on council budgets is expected over the next five years as the Government makes unprecedented cuts.

Ealing Council Leader, Councillor Julian Bell, has warned of significant changes to the way many local services are provided after the council reviewed its medium term financial plan- which sets a saving target of £96 million by April 2019- at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The Government funds 43 per cent of what the council spends and over the five year period the council expects the amount available to spend on services will drop by 40 per cent.

The Government has confirmed the council’s grant will be reduced by 28 per cent in 2015-16 but has yet to confirm what it will receive after that.

Councillor Julian Bell , leader of Ealing Council, said: “These severe and unrelenting cuts may even stretch out as far as the end of the decade.

“I want local people to understand the scale of cuts being forced on the council which will mean that many services will need to change and it is possible some may even have to stop.

“I am determined we protect the most vulnerable, distribute cuts as fairly as possible and consult on difficult decisions.”

Councillor Yvonne Johnson, cabinet member for finance, performance and welfare, said: “Although the challenges ahead should not be underestimated, we have a good track record in handling difficult decisions and minimising the impact on front line services.”

Greg Stafford , Conservative group leader, said: “The scale of the economic challenge confronting the Government has never been underestimated by the coalition Government which funds 75 per cent of Ealing Council services.

“Indeed even Ed Miliband has stated he would continue with the current budget plans.

“Yet the very first act of this Labour administration was to award themselves a pay increase knowing full well the amount which needed to be saved over the next five years.”

Mr Bell said he thought the one per cent pay increase- if agreed- was modest after a four year freeze and that this is not about that but about the Government failing to cope with the deficit.