Fillis: we can see the effect of cuts already
LANCASHIRE County Council has once again been short-changed by the Conservative government, according to county Labour leaders.
Labour’s deputy leader on the county council, Skelmersdale East councillor John Fillis, said: “You can see the effect on social care cuts on the NHS already.
“Services are already struggling to cope with winter pressures with further bad weather we could be on the edge of a major disaster due to a lack of beds and staff.
“We are already seeing even longer waiting times in A&E.
“The Tories clearly have no plan for local government or care for the knock-on effect on our vital services.”
Labour group leader Azhar Ali also responded to the local government settlement announced by the Secretary Of State for Local Government, Sajid Javid MP.
Cllr Ali said: “Lancashire County Council has already seen devastating cuts from the Conservative government, totalling around £600m since 2010.
“This year we are yet again told there is no more money for Lancashire, whilst there is more money for rural councils and the DUP.
“I have been asking the local Tory leadership to go and talk to ministers about the lack of funding for the North and they have refused.
“The result is no additional support for vital services like adult social care, children services or sufficient money to fill the potholes.”
Cllr Ali went on to say: “It’s time that Lancashire’s Conservative MPs stepped up to the mark and supported local services by getting Theresa May to invest in northern councils like Lancashire rather than asking taxpayers to pay more council tax, which is what the Government is saying.
“Council tax revenues vary widely across the country so relying on it means an even bigger north/south divide.”