Local Government Finance

Chris Heaton-Harris Excerpts

Wednesday 9th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Caroline Flint]

My hon. Friend has made a very good point about the unfairness of the cuts. The Government are passporting the blame on to local councils, and that is not fair. My hon. Friend, like other Labour Members, has long experience of local government that can inform our debate. We are in touch with local government, which is one of the big differences between us and those on the Government Benches.

[Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con)]

The right hon. Lady suggests that cuts in executive pay constitute a mere pinprick in the savings required. Yet according to a press release from Hampshire county council that I received yesterday, the council expects to save some £7 million in executive pay in the current year. That is just shy of 20%—[Interruption.] Opposition Members suggest, in sedentary interventions, that £7 million in a single year may be an unlikely figure, and that may be so, but even if it is over three years—[Interruption.]

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo)]

Order. The hon. Gentleman must resume his seat.

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

Even if it is over three years, it still amounts to 7% or 8% of the total savings required. Does the right hon. Lady regard that as insubstantial?

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

Order. The hon. Gentleman must resume his seat.

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

I am sorry, Madam Deputy Speaker.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I know that the hon. Gentleman heard me earlier; he clearly saw me. Interventions must be short.