£2.3BN CUTS DWARF £1.6 BN BREXIT BRIBES
MPs blast bungs to towns as No10 ‘drops backstop demands’
THERESA May’s offer of £1.6billion in funding for “left behind” towns has backfired after it emerged the Tories have cut £2.3billion from similar areas.
Angry Labour MPs accused the PM of offering the “shameless bung” in an effort to woo them to back her Brexit plans in a new vote.
Chris Bryant said he was “furious” the Tories had suddenly discovered a “magic money tree” Mrs May had previously said did not exist.
He said: “I feel furious that we’re now meant to feel grateful we might have a few crumbs from the table.”
David Lammy accused Mrs May of offering colleagues “petty bribes”.
He added: “These communities need a radical programme of investment, not a Brexit which will make
the country worse off and inevitably lead to more cuts.”
Analysis by Best for Britain showed the £2.3billion has been sucked out of 34 areas since the Tories came to power in 2010.
Manchester has suffered the largest cut of £165million, or £302 per person, over the eight years. Birmingham has lost £307million, or £207 per head; Bradford has lost £138million, or £257 each; and Sheffield has lost £142million, £245 per person.
Mrs May’s official spokesman insisted the £1.6billion offer was “absolutely not” a bribe.
Last night the PM appeared to abandon demands for Irish backstop changes in her deal, putting her again at odds with Tory Brexiteers. Downing Street hinted the Government finally recognised it would struggle to get the EU to agree to a time limit or an exit mechanism.
A spokesman said Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, who goes to Brussels today, would “pursue legallybinding changes”.
The PM hopes to win round up to 30 Labour MPs. Much depends on the DUP, which could offer 10 votes and 50 Tory Brexiteer votes if they like what Mr Cox returns with.
I’m furious that we’re meant to be grateful we might get a few crumbs CHRIS BRYANT LABOUR MP ON MAY’S CASH OFFER