After fourteen years in power, the Conservatives have failed the economy and left local councils in financial dire straits. The Spring Budget announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt today fell well short of the measures needed to grow the economy, support families or ensure adequate funding for public services.
The announcement of an extension to the Household Support Fund came very late in the day for councils trying to plan for the next financial year, and for the families who rely on it. The extension of just 6 months raises concerns about the long-term future of the fund, which is a lifeline for many. Due to the precarious nature of the funding, Labour-led Brighton & Hove City Council has set up its own Fairness Fund of £614,000 which will ensure continuation of funding for those struggling the most. The fund will include help with food vouchers, discretionary payments, support for food banks and funds to community groups in need. The council has also made contingency plans to support families through the easter school holidays.
Since 2010, the Tory Government has cut Brighton & Hove city council’s budget by a total of £120 million in real terms, making it increasingly difficult for the council to deliver services, including essential frontline services. During this time, demand has risen significantly in adult social care, children’s services, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and homelessness.
Deputy Leader and Finance Lead, Councillor Jacob Taylor said: “What we have is an inept Conservative government that has presided over a brutal austerity agenda, a disastrous Liz Truss mini-budget, stagnant economic growth and now a recession.
“Inflation in the UK remains higher than any other G7 economy which means the cost-of- living crisis has lasted longer as people feel the impact of higher prices and stagnant wages.
“This Tory government has also decimated public services, leaving councils with insufficient budgets to meet the level of demand for vital local services. The latest local government finance settlement from central government fell well short of providing the level of funding councils need.
“With just three weeks to go until the next financial year, only today have the Tories confirmed a partial extension of the Household Support Fund. This was after extensive lobbying from councils of all parties, but again falls short. A 6-month extension of the fund means that it will end part way through the next financial year, leaving families and councils unable to plan beyond this – does the government think there won’t be food poverty and families on the edge in 6 months?
“This has validated our decisions to create the Brighton & Hove Fairness Fund to support residents in this broken Tory economy. Where the Tory government won’t help families for the coming year, your Brighton & Hove Labour council will.
