The Green Party has today argued that councils must be given increased funding to maintain and support community services after the Government announced that councils will face an average cut of 1.8% in their overall spending power next year.
Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett said:
“At a time when people are already struggling on low wages or insecure employment and with the queues at food-banks continuing to grow, the last thing communities need is for their local support lines to be cut. Sadly, this government seems determined to push our local councils to breaking point – regardless of the pain it inflicts on households up and down the country. Demand for local services is increasing and these new cuts mean that councils which are already operating services at the bare minimum will now be forced to drastically reduce the services provided; from disability centres to elderly care to children’s centres.
The Green Party would help local councils by investing in their services and providing them with more autonomy over the services they provide for their local community.
Bennett continued:
“Everyone suffers when an economy and society is run with scant regard for people’s welfare but these cuts to council services will inflict extra pain on those who need most support: children, the elderly, and disabled.”
Brighton and Hove Councillor, Ruth Buckley commented:
“Since the formation of the coalition government, Brighton & Hove has seen cuts to its funding by a staggering 32% in cash terms. After inflation and increased demand, this has resulted in the city and its services receiving £70m less this year than when the Greens became the minority administration in 2011.”