Labour’s candidate for the upcoming Stretford and Urmston by-election, Andrew Western, has slammed the news that council budgets will face another round of cuts following last week’s Conservative budget.
Years of Conservative cuts have left local services at breaking points. Since 2010, Trafford Council has had to take more than £260 million from its budget, with another £26 million due to be taken from council funds over the next year.
As Leader of Trafford Council, Andrew Western has been calling for a minimum level of funding for Trafford to be brought close to the national average. Trafford is one of the lowest funded councils in the country, despite taxpayers contributing heavily to government coffers. The Labour candidate has been using a petition to raise awareness of Trafford’s unfair deal.
Commenting, Andrew Western said:
“The by-election on Thursday 15th December is an opportunity the tell this Conservative government to stop short changing the people of Trafford.
“Residents in our area contribute a great deal to the economy, they play by the rules and they work hard. However, Trafford is being hit harder than most local authorities because of successive cuts and an unfair funding formula.
“It is simply unfair to ask Trafford council to make further cuts to its budget when it is already one of the lowest funded councils in the UK. People here should have a right to well-funded local services.
“Over the coming weeks, residents will have the chance to send a message to this Conservative government- don’t ask the people of Trafford to pick up your bill.”