Salford is in the top thirty local authorities getting hammered the most by ConDem Government cuts. While the average government cut in England is £61 a year per person, in Salford it's £152.10 per person, despite deprivation being one of the highest in the country.
Data compiled by Newcastle City Council based on government grants, and produced as a cuts map by The Guardian yesterday (see here), overwhelmingly shows that areas with the highest deprivation – the North West, North East, Midlands and inner city London – taking the brunt of public sector cuts.
Salford is ranked 26th most deprived area in the country, with almost a third of its children officially living in poverty, plus high youth and adult unemployment. Yet its government funding has been cut disproportionately, compared to richer boroughs.
On our own doorstep, while Salford gets a £152 cut, neighbouring Trafford, relatively affluent and ranked 190th in the deprivation league, gets a cut per head of `only' £73.12 per person. Way richer areas, like Richmond Upon Thames (ranked 286th) and Elmbridge (ranked 322nd) actually gain from the ConDem `cuts'.
The Labour Party argues that the ConDem Government is penalising Labour controlled councils, which inevitably have the highest rates of deprivation – on average, Labour councils budgets have been slashed by £107 per person, while the figure falls to £36 for Tory controlled councils and £38 for LibDem controlled councils.
"This looks like local government funding is being used to alleviate the impact of cuts on Tory voters at the expense of Labour voters" says Labour's shadow communities spokesman Hilary Benn "How on earth can Eric Pickles and David Cameron justify this?"
Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles argues that the figures are fair - "The poorest areas receive the most money", he says. But an analysis of official Government statistics (see link here) shows that he's talking through his arse.
In 2011-12 Salford Council received Government funding of £1,177.42 per person. Salford is the 26th most deprived authority in England.
In 2011-12 Trafford also received Government funding of £1,177.42 per person. Trafford is the 190th most deprived authority in England.
See also follow on Salford Star article - Greater Manchester Left To Burn by ConDem Government - click here
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