How can the North still be missing out?
YOU would expect the Government to ensure its decision-making was in the interests of the whole country. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be the case and the gaps between communities are widening. While it appears that funding for the North can’t be found, huge sums are handed over for unnecessary ventures for the benefit of the South. London has many bridges over the Thames, so why was £37 million wasted on the Garden Bridge, which never made it past the planning stage? During this time of austerity, the Government could find £1 billion in ‘cash for votes’ for the DUP. Surely this money could have been spent more wisely and fairly? The Northern Powerhouse diversion was meant to make us Northerners believe we would be getting more of a say — but we are still waiting. Blackpool and Lancashire County Council funding has been cut year on year. This has meant job losses, essential services being withdrawn, library cuts, budget reductions on community and environmental services and the axeing of funding for adult and children’s services. This has had a catastrophic effect on the needy and has led to the proliferation of food banks. The council is facing further cuts in income, which has resulted in a big rise in council tax to meet the shortfall. I can’t believe the unfairness in the allocation of £300 million in transitional funding from Westminster two years ago to ease council cuts. Blackpool and Lancashire County Council had high hopes of being beneficiaries, but Blackpool received nothing, while County Hall received just £2.3 million. Unsurprisingly, 83 per cent was allocated to Tory-run councils, mostly in the southern shires. Affluent Surrey got £24.4 million, Hampshire £18.7 million and Oxfordshire £9 million. This pattern was repeated in Government expenditure for 2016-2017 in publicly funded or part private funded projects. London was allocated £1,900 per person, against £220 in the North-East and £190 in Yorkshire and Humberside. The North wants to be treated equally with other parts of the country — all we are asking for is fairness in the distribution of funding.
T. E. RAWCLIFFE, Blackpool.