Conservative Budget - "Hidden Cuts"

11.00.00pm GMT Mon 13th Feb 2006

Speaking at the County Council meeting on 14th February, the Lib Dem Deputy Leader Cllr Zoe Patrick criticised the Conservative budget for containing "hidden cuts".

Their budget for older people will mean real terms cuts because there are no increases to allow for the fact that there are more elderly people next year requiring services. They are proposing cuts to services and support for vulnerable children, both in and out of school. Even their much vaunted "extra money" for the youth service actually still means reductions in the service available.

Zoe said, "The Tories are only interested in a keeping the council tax at the lowest level at the expense of older people and our young children - in particular those with special needs. What is particularly worrying is that additional pressures will be faced by social and health care, as the NHS struggle with their own financial problems. This is an increasingly volatile area. For example, a bad winter increases the vulnerability of older people, where many could suffer if they are not given the support and care they need.

Cllr Janet Godden, Lib Dem spokesperson on Social and Community Services, added, "The Conservatives' so-called 'Emergency Fund' does not meet the case at all. In the first place it has to be bid for bit by bit as emergencies arrive. How much more sensible it would be to agree that it will be needed, put it in and make it permanent so that it can be planned with and used to maximum effect. And with regard to the NHS, how much more sensible it would be to fund our own services properly in the first place, so that we aren't making matters worse through delayed discharges, fewer respite beds, and inadequate home support. The Conservative budget postures on the bank with a life belt and risks throwing it too late."

On the youth service, Cllr David Turner said, "The Conservative Group has made great play in the last few weeks about how generous they have been to the youth service, giving it £150,000 to keep the current number of youth workers. However, they fail to mention the cuts of £85,000 in administration and support services to youth workers and the additional £10,000 that youth centres will now to have to pay for their internet connections. The Conservatives have therefore given the youth service only £55,000 as compared to the Liberal Democrats' £115,000. Who is being generous here?"