Local Government Finance

Jack Dromey Excerpts

Wednesday 12th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab)]

Birmingham has cut £300 million from back-office services, but is still reeling from the biggest cuts in local government history. It is losing 23% of its spending power, while Wokingham is gaining 1%. How can it be right that the 10 most deprived areas are hit 10 times harder than the 10 least deprived areas? How can that be fair?

[Brandon Lewis]

The 10% most deprived areas in the country and the areas with the most need have a higher spending power in the first place and get a bigger Government grant.