William Eichler 29 January 2019

Local government cuts ‘callous and calculated’, say Labour

The Labour Party have accused the Government of being ‘callous’ as an analysis reveals that local government funding benefits affluent Tory areas the most.

In December, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government released a consultation proposing changes to local government funding.

A Labour analysis of the figures on spending power from the provisional local government settlement review found the spending power per household of local authorities is set to fall by an average of 23% (£243) between 2010-11 and 2019-20.

The analysis also revealed that Labour councils are due to see falls of 28% on average, compared to a 19% fall for Tory local authorities.

While Tory councils have seen an average fall in spending power per household of £115 during this period, the equivalent cut for Labour councils is more than £500 per household.

The analysis found that nine of the top 10 councils that are set to see the biggest cuts to spending power are Labour-led, while eight out of 10 of the councils that have received the best settlement over the ten year period are Conservative-controlled.

The most deprived areas of the country are also being hit particularly hard, Labour said. Nine of the 10 most deprived councils in the country have seen cuts of almost three times the national average of £255.

‘Nine years of Government cuts have pushed local services into crisis and left councils on the brink of collapse,’ said Andrew Gwynne, Labour’s shadow secretary of state for communities and local government.

‘The Tories approach of targeting the most deprived areas is callous and calculated, and under the guise of manipulating existing funding models, could get even worse.

‘The Government must change its plans and prioritise funding for the most deprived council areas.’

An MHCLG spokesman responded: ‘We are investing in Britain’s future by providing local authorities with £91.5bn over the next two years to meet the needs of their residents and authorities are receiving £1bn extra in funding this coming year.

‘Further to this, we have launched a consultation seeking views on what factors will be included in a new funding formula. This is a complex piece of work and will take time to get it right.

‘We are clear that this is a review of the relative needs and resources of local authorities.’

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner