Unions are meeting the council to discuss home care plans

Unison has criticised the plans, accusing the council of secrecy and acting in an "underhand" manner.

Age Concern has also said it is worried about the possible fragmentation of services for the elderly.

SBC said the plans were only at review stage but were intended to deliver more care for the same expenditure.

Edith Moody, Unison's branch chairwoman, responded angrily to the plans.

"It is no wonder that the council wants to keep this report secret," she said.

"Threatening to privatise sections of the workforce who have legitimate equal pay claims is an underhand way of running away from their responsibility."

Voiced concern

She added that other areas which had tried such action had seen more cases going to tribunal.

Andrew Sim, policy and research officer for Age Concern, also voiced concern about the impact of the action.

"We don't want to see a fragmentation between services," he warned.

"We certainly must not be putting cash before the client and that is often how older people see it when a change is made without them being involved."