Published Article

HeadlineLondon councils warn Theresa May’s government about public spending cuts

Short HeadlineLondon councils warn against further cuts

Standfirst"We're at breaking point over your public spending cuts" warn London councils to Theresa May's government.

Council leaders have warned Downing Street that public spending cuts are pushing them to breaking point.

Areas like Tower Hamlets have lost 64% from their budget as a result of the public spending cuts.

Tower Hamlets Mayor John Biggs is urging the Prime Minister to take action.

He said: “Continued cuts mean harder decisions in areas like the East End where we’ve already had to cut £150m from services.”

Council leaders met as part of today’s Breaking Point campaign to stop “devastating” cuts that have been enforced upon them.

Cuts imposed since 2010 mean town halls have lost 60p out of every £1 of funding.

Labour run authorities say that cuts will reach £4bn by 2020.

Tower Hamlets public services have especially been hit with £148m taken from their budget over the last eight years.

Tower Hamlets council are having to save £44m over the next three years because of a growing population.

Demand for emergency support and the protection of children across London means local authorities are spending £100m annually in comparison to last year.

London Councils’ Labour group Leader Peter John said: “Frontline services facing the squeeze in London include homelessness and elderly care.

“London has some of the most deprived communities in the country where one-in-four live in poverty compared to one-in-five elsewhere.”

London authorities fear having to save £2bn over the next four years to cope with the cuts.