Workers at the Department for Education have voted to go on strike in a row over spending cuts and job losses.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services union backed walkouts by a majority of almost two to one, and other forms of industrial action by nearly nine to one. The union said turnout in the ballot was 37.5%.

The PCS said it believed the education secretary, Michael Gove, was using the department as an ideological testbed for wider civil service cuts. It said about 1,000 jobs were under threat because of the cuts.

The union's general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said: "These cuts are purely political and would not only mean misery for 1,000 of Mr Gove's own staff but also put at risk some vital public services, such as ensuring children are safe at school and supporting special educational needs."

The PCS accused the department of using a management consultant to help draft plans to axe more than a quarter of its workforce. Serwotka said the involvement of a management consultancy at a senior level in the department should ring alarm bells.

"There are serious questions to answer about a conflict of interest, given [the consultancy] would be allowed to bid for future contracts after receiving such privileged access," he said.

The Department for Education said: "We are disappointed that the PCS has voted in favour of strike action. We have held extensive discussions with the PCS and we are consulting with staff on the proposed changes. We have made it clear that we want to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible.

"We want this country to have the best education system and the best children's services. To achieve this we must create a department that delivers an excellent service to the public, while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.

"It is entirely wrong of the PCS to suggest that the DfE review will in any way have an impact on the safety of children or the support available for those with special educational needs."