After detailed assessment of the Autumn Statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer last Thursday, more bad news has been revealed for Stockport residents and the Council as it struggles to balance the budget and protect public services. Town Hall Chief’s already knew they had a very difficult and challenging task this year, but it has just been made even more difficult by deliberate decisions of central government not to help protect essential local services.
Instead, the Chancellor has indicated even more money will have to be raised by increasing council tax and asking local people to pay more for less.
Leader of the Council and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Cllr Mark Hunter, said: “The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement was very disappointing news indeed. We had hoped that central government would help local people as we all grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, but – not a bit of it. After crashing the economy due to their own incompetence, it now seems the Conservatives want to blame anybody but themselves and expect local residents to foot the bill for their mistakes in government. It beggars’ belief they think they can get away with it!”
Cllr Malcolm Allan, Cabinet member for Finance & Resources, added: “Although no final decisions have yet been made and details are still being worked through, it’s already clear that this Statement was tougher than we’d hoped and has no good news for local authorities and the services we provide. In particular, the Government grant takes no account of the last two years inflation. As Liberal Democrats, we want to protect front line services and give value for money but the approach of this Conservative Government means we now have difficult and challenging decisions that will force us to look carefully at our ambition not to raise council tax.”
