Local council cuts are hitting the poorest, analysis shows

This article, featuring research by Steve Reed, was originally published by the Independent. You can read the full story here.

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Tory cuts mean that the poorest local councils face cuts 18 times higher than the country’s richest, new analysis.

In an analysis undertaken by the Labour party and seen by the Independent, figures show that between the years 2010 and 2015, when the Tory-Lib Dem coalition government were in power, funding for the 10 most deprived local councils have fallen on average by £681.04 per household.

Of the 10 wealthiest councils in the UK, four saw an increase in their funding, while nine of the most deprived saw cuts of more than £520 per household.

The government looks at several factors such as crime, health, education, living conditions and unemployment, when monitoring whether an area or council is deprived.

The new figures correlate with research released earlier this year, which shows children are the worst affected when it comes to George Osborne’s spending cuts.

Shadow Local Government Minister Steve Reed MP has called for the Tories to do more to bridge the gap between the richest and poorest communities.

“The Tories need to stop waging war on decent people and their communities across the country. They promised a One Nation government but the gap between the poorest and the richest keeps growing.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, who recently announced cuts to tax credits, has identified £12bn of welfare cuts in a bid to “a welfare system that is fair not just to those who need it but to those who pay for it.”