Mayor of Greater Manchester responds to Government's spending plans

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, has set out plans for Government spending covering 2020-21 in today's Spending Round announcement in the House of Commons

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, reacted: “Over the last decade, Greater Manchester Police have lost around 2000 officers and vital social care budgets have been stretched to breaking point. It shouldn’t have taken this long for the Government to recognise that its cuts to these essential services had gone way too far. 

“It would seem that they have finally listened but as ever with this Government, we will be watching closely to see how much of this is genuine Government funding or if Ministers intend to put the burden on local council taxpayers once again.

“It is very disappointing, however, that the Chancellor has not listened to fire and rescue services across the country, which have also faced devastating cuts by Government over recent years.  While Ministers have heard the argument about police it must do the same for fire and rescue services.  

“We welcome the Chancellor’s focus in his statement on investing in transport in the North, but repeated promises have still not turned in to detailed plans. The North needs bankable commitments, not warm words.

“With a General Election now clearly on the horizon it is time that all parties laid out firm plans to create the Powerhouse that North has been promised so many times.”

The full Spending Round document can be viewed here.

Article Published: 04/09/2019 16:13 PM