Dame Angela Eagle MP Standing up for Wallasey
Yesterday, I joined UNISON at their event in Parliament to highlight the fact that local councils are now at breaking point because of cuts made by this austerity obsessed Tory Government. Local Government has been the biggest victim of this Government’s failed austerity agenda, with billions of pounds being cut from council budgets across the country. Labour-run councils have been the hardest hit. On average, Tory councils will have £128 less to spend per household, while Labour councils are hit four times harder – losing £524 per household.
Our Labour-run Wirral council will have £635 less to spend per household by 2020 than in 2010. Under the Tories some of the most deprived areas in the country are hit the hardest, while Tory councils are given a better deal.
Between 2010-2018, Wirral Council have had £170m cut by Central Government from their budget, and there is a further £130m to be cut by 2021. This has put the council under increasing pressure, and it is clear that only a Labour Government would halt and reverse these austerity policies to protect our vital public services, such as education, fire safety and social care.
Earlier this year, the Tory-run Northamptonshire County Council was effectively forced to declare itself bankrupt. They are not alone. It is anticipated that around 30 councils across the country are under such severe financial distress as a result of cuts to the Local Government budget that they will completely empty their reserves by 2022.
This is why I’m backing UNISON’s campaign and calling on the Tories to halt this failing austerity agenda and increase investment in our local authorities and our vital public services in the upcoming budget later this year.