The survey, seen exclusively by CYP Now, warns the cuts could result in more young people not in employment, education or training.

From April 2008, local authorities will commission all Connexions services and this is already happening in many areas. But figures gathered by Unison suggest some authorities are using the changes to make savings through job losses, recruitment freezes and budget cuts.

Jon Richards, senior national officer for Unison's education workforce unit, said: "We're not criticising every employer or Connexions partnership but in some places we are having problems. Staff morale has been hit and the number of young people not in education, employment and training is rising again.

"There is no definite causal link between the two but numbers have been falling, then this transition happens and it starts going up again," said Richards.

The figures gathered by Unison examined 12 Connexions services and found at least 130 jobs are to be axed and budget cuts totalling more than £4m.

One example is Cheshire & Warrington, where the council already controls the Connexions budget. Unison says the service's budget will be reduced by £750,000 in the next two years.

David Rowlands, Cheshire County Council's lead member for children's services, said: "The purpose of joining Connexions and the youth service is to coordinate the two services under one management, thus effecting significant back office and management savings and ensuring money is available to maintain the quality and numbers of frontline workers."

Richards said the union recognised many services had "standstill" budgets but claimed the transition phase was still being used to make cuts.

Roger Little, executive director of the National Association of Connexions Partners, said: "We are concerned about the impact this may have on members and, from that, on services to young people."