Oldham Liberal Democrats accuse Labour of “betrayal” as Government prepares to slash Council funding
Oldham Liberal Democrats have hit out ahead of the Government’s November Budget following reports that Councils like Oldham will “permanently” lose out on funding.
Oldham Council already faces a funding shortfall of £21 million this year and reports suggest that no help will be forthcoming when Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves sets her budget on November 26th, leaving Councils with no choice but to get the axe out and start to cut services.
Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “Labour have let Oldham down both locally and nationally.
“Locally, Labour councillors and their so-called Independent coalition partners have run down our reserves for years, betting the house that things would improve under a Labour Government.
“Nationally, the Starmer Government has completely failed to deliver the change that was promised. In fact, Councils like Oldham will be worse off under Labour. We’re right on the brink, and any loss of funding will push us over.”
Concerns are mounting that Reeves will announce changes to the funding formula for local councils that would see a shift away from Councils like Oldham.
The Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA) – which includes dozens of northern councils like Oldham – has warned that its member councils could “permanently” lose out on “hundreds of millions of pounds” under Reeves’s reforms.
Councillor Sykes said, “Labour promised not to whack up taxes on working people. They also promised to fix council funding. They are betraying Oldham on both fronts.”