News from Westminster Labour

Westminster loses £38m as government axes services

Westminster residents will lose £38 million over the next 2 years – £21.1 million in 2011/12 and £16.9 million in 2012/13 – as the Government has taken the axe to local services. Every Council service will be hit by the Government cuts, including nearly £2 million cut from Early Years provision, hitting children’s services hard.

Labour Councillors say that the cuts represent a 7.2% cut in Government grant and much higher than the average 4.4% cut that has hit local councils as a whole. Overall, Westminster is the 9th hardest hit Council in London (out of 33).

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said: “These cuts are a complete disaster. Every public service will be hit. Streets will be cleaned less, rubbish will pile up for longer, the elderly and disabled will be told to fend for themselves and parents with young children will be told that services will no longer be available. There is no need for such deep and rapid cuts as the deficit can be reduced over a more sensible and manageable time scale.

“Conservative Councillors have failed to argue for Westminster. These cuts are much more severe than in most other parts of London. Either the Conservatives who run the Council have failed to speak up for local people and do not care about the impact that these cuts will have on the most vulnerable residents. Or, their lobbying attempts have had absolutely no effect on the hard-hearted Conservative/Liberal Democrat politicians who run the country. Either way, Conservative Councillors should hang their heads in shame at the amount of money that Westminster has lost.”

Other news from Westminster Labour

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• Queen's Park councillors urge 'Yes' vote in Community Council referendum - 15 May 2012
• Highest vote ever for Labour in Hyde Park ward by-election - 4 May 2012