Wakefield Council Leader responds to Chancellor’s budget
Cllr Peter Box CBE,
Leader of Wakefield Council, has responded to yesterday’s budget by Chancellor
Philip Hammond by saying it falls significantly short of what is needed.
Cllr Peter Box CBE, Leader of Wakefield Council
Cllr Box said:
“Wakefield Councillors recently called for an end to austerity in local
government, along with an extra £2bn investment for Adult Social Care, and £2bn
for Children’s Services.
“In yesterday’s budget, the Chancellor announced an extra £650m for Adult
Social Care, yet the Government is still cutting £1.3bn from Council budgets.
“£650 million will simply not touch the sides in terms of the urgent funding
needed for social care. And other funding announced, such as that for pothole
repairs will barely scratch the surface.
“We have now had over £171m wiped off the Council’s budget which has had an
unavoidable impact on the services we provide. And although additional funding
is always welcomed, it falls significantly short of what is needed. Austerity
is certainly not over for local authorities such as ours.”