WARRINGTON Borough Council’s budget proposals target the young, the elderly and the most vulnerable, according to MP Helen Jones.
The Labour MP for Warrington North (pictured) described some of the cuts as “misguided and cruel.”
She said: “This budget shows that the Lib Dem and Tory approach to coping with the huge funding cuts imposed by their government is to place the burden on the shoulders of the young, elderly and most vulnerable in Warrington.
“The cuts that have been announced are only part of the terrible deal that Warrington is getting from the Lib Dems and Tories at the Town Hall and in Westminster.
“Cutting almost £100,000 from support for children with special educational needs is misguided and cruel. With cuts to youth services and removing funding for hugely beneficial school trips the council is showing that investing in young people is not their priority.
“Vulnerable people are also being targeted by this budget. The council is looking to make £200,000 from disabled people by increasing the cost of transport. This will make it harder for people to visit day centres, get to work or simply be able to see their families.
“The hypocrisy in this budget is startling, the Government talks about the ‘Big Society’ but then a Lib Dem-Tory Council cuts £18,000 from grants to the voluntary sector.
“However, I am pleased that the council has finally taken my advice to award more contracts to local firms. But there have been no concrete plans announced so I will continue to pressure them. Let’s not forget that the amount of money the council spent with local firms actually fell in the last three years.”
MP slams council over cruel cuts
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
4 Comments
May I remind the woman, that the Labour council were doing the same thing by closing the baths, community centres and youth clubs, although some were reprieved.
This bleating doesn’t help the problem, and she should be using her time to come up with better solutions that will help.
I’ll give her a start to the list.
Perhaps just one MP for the whole of Warrington would save a lot of money.
One councillor per Ward. That would reduce the amount of money wasted as well.
For once I find myself agreeing with silver surfer….
Just one MP for Warrington would be great saving, after all only one of them does anything for the people of Warrington… And he’s not a woman!
If the previous government hadn’t made such a mess of the economy these ‘cuts’ wouldn’t be necessary 🙁
Heh this woman. And whilst we’re on about this woman, it was her government that put us in this mess in the first place.
Fully agree – Also what she fails to do is come forward with solutions. Labour hands will damage Warrington like they did in the past.