Across Yorkshire, spending on local services is being
slashed by over £1 billion. Thousands of jobs have already been lost, as
services for the elderly, the vulnerable and the young are scaled back as never
before.
Kirklees will lose over £129 million per year
Over 3 years ago, ahead of the game, Kirklees’ Labour leaders planned £30 million savings—especially back-office savings and reducing the number of senior managers (though such savings are not painless and do damage services).
The savage extra cuts now imposed by Government will inevitably hit front-line services, jobs and the voluntary, community and private sectors.
This year’s Kirklees budget contains some very painful decisions - far, far worse is to come in the next 2 years.
Without any shadow of a doubt, appalling Government
minister Eric Pickles has hit northern councils unfairly in his funding
cuts.
Kirklees’ spending power will drop by £11.9 million in 2014/15. Other northern councils face similar or even worse cuts.
Meanwhile affluent Surrey will increase it’s spending power by £1.5 million – these are Eric’s own numbers.
Analysis shows that the budgets of northern councils (which tend to be Labour-controlled) have been cut at twice the rate of southern Tory authorities.
The most affluent areas have been protected, whilst places with a greater reliance on public-sector jobs are facing the deepest cuts.
Each household in Kirklees is losing £65 this year alone in funding for local services. In Wokingham it is a £5 increase.
Kirklees’ spending power will drop by £11.9 million in 2014/15. Other northern councils face similar or even worse cuts.
Meanwhile affluent Surrey will increase it’s spending power by £1.5 million – these are Eric’s own numbers.
Analysis shows that the budgets of northern councils (which tend to be Labour-controlled) have been cut at twice the rate of southern Tory authorities.
The most affluent areas have been protected, whilst places with a greater reliance on public-sector jobs are facing the deepest cuts.
Each household in Kirklees is losing £65 this year alone in funding for local services. In Wokingham it is a £5 increase.
