Cuts to Labour councils five times higher than in Tory heartlands

The true scale of how Conservative cuts have been targeted at less affluent Labour areas is revealed today in new research from the party.

The average cut in spending power per household for Labour council areas is more than five times higher than for those in Tory local authorities areas over the period between 2012 and 2020.

The average cut per household in a Tory area will be £68 by the end of this parliament, but for Labour councils the number is more than £340.

Labour controls the 10 councils set to see the biggest cuts to spending power while eight out of 10 of the councils seeing the smallest cuts are Conservative-controlled.

This is likely to worsen existing inequalities – nine of the ten most deprived areas are facing higher than average cuts. Knowsley, the second most deprived area of the country, will experience a cut of over £760 per household.

Labour councils generally sit in less well-off areas, meaning the cuts are likely to hit poorer people, who rely on public services more frequently.

Jon Trickett, shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said:

“Local government is under enormous pressure because of politically motivated Tory cuts that hit the poorest hardest. Ordinary families are paying the price as councils are forced to cut services to fill the gap.

“The Tories won’t stand up for working people. They are putting family prosperity and Britain’s future at risk.

“We need to elect as many Labour Councillors as possible to stand up against these unfair Tory cuts.”