PRIME Minister David Cameron accused Warrington Borough Council leader Terry O’Neill of playing “easy politics” after hearing the government was being blamed for budget cuts effecting local services, during a visit to the town.
Mr Cameron, who was in Warrington with Chancellor George Osborne to congratulate Stretton based online retailer The Hut group on their expansion to Omega and the creation of 2,000 new jobs, was quick to point out that councils had demonstrated they could keep council taxes down and provide better services.
He said the council budget in Warrington of £165 million was “pretty much the same” as in 2013-14, when there had been a £4 million under spend, together with £12m council tax arrears and a surplus of £28 million.
“Councils have had to make some difficult decisions about cuts in council funding, but the truth is satisfaction rates in local government services have gone up, not down and local councils have demonstrated they can do more for less!
Mr Cameron added: “It is easy politics to blame the government for cuts and I think some Labour leaders have said it so many times it is wearing a bit thin!”
In response to the Prime Minister’s visit Cllr O’Neill (pictured right) said: “It is all very well Mr Cameron comes to Warrington and notices that the town is bucking the national trend and is growing, but this is more to do with the Labour taking over the council four years ago and drawing up brand new regeneration plans to kick start our local economy rather anything the Tory-LibDem Coalition Government has done.
“If anything, the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition Government is short-changing the North West and Warrington in particular. In their latest round of infrastructure funding the Government is giving the North West the lowest amount compared to the rest of the country.
“The North West is getting just £1.8billion investment but contrast this with the Tory heartland of “London & the South East” which is getting £3billion investment.
“What’s more they are giving enough funding to replace the Allerdene Bridge over the A1 so that it remains toll-free, but they are still telling Warrington residents we will have to pay a toll to cross the River Mersey.
“Someone needs to ask Mr Cameron directly; ‘Why is Warrington BC getting massive cuts to its budget and having to reduce many vital public services, when councils in his Tory heartlands are hardly being affected?’ We don’t need words Mr Cameron, we need action!”
Meanwhile the Hut Group will bring more than 2,000 jobs to Warrington when they open a new logistics, manufacturing and office centre at Omega later this year.
The Hut Group has become Omega South’s second occupier, along with ASDA. Construction is expected to be completed next autumn.
The company is a specialist on-line retailer and brand owner, selling high repeat purchase goods direct to consumers across the health and beauty sectors.
The new premises will consolidate The Hut’s four existing UK distribution units. They will be used to satisfy both domestic and rapidly growing international operations.
To hear Mr Cameron’s comments during his visit to Warrington including his thoughts on not just one, but two new bridges to improve the town’s traffic infrastructure and the loss of jobs at City Link in the town, click on the link below.
Chancellor George Osborne, David Cameron and David Mowat are given a tour of the Hut Group’s Stretton base.
Warrington South MP David Mowat with the Prime Minister.
