Liberal Democratic Party: Stunell: Lib Dems protecting most vulnerable in council settlement

"Contrary to the Labour scare stories, we’ve delivered a fair settlement for local authorities, including ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected, which has always been the Lib Dems’ top priority.”

Commenting on the announcement of the Local Government Finance Settlement today, Liberal Democrat Local Government Minister, Andrew Stunell said:

“The cuts are tough, there’s no doubt about that, but the Liberal Democrats have worked hard to deliver a fair settlement for local government.

“We’ve ensured that no council will face cuts of greater than 9% of their total spending power, and have guaranteed that authorities which previously received Working Neighbourhoods Fund will receive transitional funding to help wind up the programme.

“Labour’s criticism won’t wash. They outlined plans for £52bn of cuts, and now won’t say where they would fall.

“And contrary to the Labour scare stories, we’ve delivered a fair settlement for local authorities, including ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected, which has always been the Lib Dems’ top priority.”


Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Simon Hughes added:

“After months of speculation town halls today will finally have more certainty over their spending plans for the next two years.

“Cuts were always inevitable given the financial mess left to us by the last Labour Government; but today’s statement makes clear that the government has listened to the many concerns expressed around the country and come up with a settlement which is fairer.

“Poorer areas of the country which are more dependent on central government have been protected. In particular the inclusion of the working neighbourhoods fund into the government’s consideration of how local authority budgets are affected will be reassuring to our more disadvantaged communities”.