A CALL for fair funding for critical services in Rugby and Warwickshire has been made by the town’s MP.
John Slinger says services such as adult social care, highways, schools, and children’s services have been ‘chronically underfunded’ due to years of austerity.
He is appealing to the government to ensure Warwickshire’s needs are recognised as part of its proposed Fair Funding Settlement, which will aim to allocate funding based on need.
Mr Slinger said: “Since 2010 the highest tier councils have struggled with rising demand coupled with significant real terms cuts to budgets.
“My constituents have faced longer waits for adult social care, highways, schools and children’s services.
“They’ve also seen cuts to non-statutory services like sure start centres, and I am calling on our Labour government to ensure that Warwickshire’s needs are recognised and properly funded.
“In our constituency we have significant areas of need, and I am calling for the resources to ensure that all residents can access the services they need instead of facing further cuts and uncertainty.”
Coun Sarah Feeney, leader of the Labour Group at Warwickshire County Council said she had seen first-hand the ‘devastating’ impact of local government cuts.
She said: “From libraries to children’s centres, the residents of Warwickshire have seen cut after cut.
“Staff have worked with residents to try and protect the most vulnerable in our society but its time we had the resources to deliver for our communities.
“Given the Reform administration’s desire to spend on non-frontline services such as political assistants and councillor safety grants, I would ask that any additional funding be directed to our front-line services where residents really need them.”
