Four Suffolk MPs call for cash injection for councils

Tom Hunt, Dr Dan Poulter, Therese Coffey and Peter Aldous have put their names to the letter calling for the funding needs of local authorities to be recognised in the Local Government Finance Settlement.

The appeal, launched by the County All-Party Parliamentary Group, a cross-party organisation, also highlights a lack of additional support for local government in chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement.

READ MORE: Arts groups hit by Suffolk County Council cuts to funding

Earlier this month, the EADT reported how 5% of posts at Suffolk County Council - equivalent to between 200 and 250 roles - could be lost as the council tried to balance its books.

The council needs to make £65 million worth of cuts and is looking to make savings of £11m a year.

READ MORE: Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber slams Suffolk arts funding cuts plan

Among areas affected by county council cuts, core support for the arts sector is set to be cut from April 2025, meaning a loss of £500,000 for the county's theatres and arts groups.

Ipswich MP's concern is that SEND services could be hit in the long term. (Image: House of Commons)

Ipswich MP Mr Hunt said he was particularly concerned that services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) could be hit in the long term, along with other core county council provisions, such as adult social care and transport.

He added he understood that the Government was having to make savings as the public funds had been put under 'severe strain,' especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but felt the current settlement was 'harsh'.

"I know what a struggle it is for the county council to make decisions about their funding that don't have a detrimental impact on their constituents.

"I do think that the resolution is quite harsh and if there is a way for it to be reviewed than I would support that," Mr Hunt added.

In total,  44 Conservative MPs; one Labour MP; and one Liberal Democrat MP signed the letter.

In the letter, the MPs say: "The past 12 months have been tough financially for many of the communities that we represent given the unprecedent level of inflation and demand for services.

"We are therefore exceptionally concerned that without any additional investment, the overwhelming majority of upper tier councils in our areas are planning service reductions and higher council tax in order that they can pass a balanced budget for the next financial year, as they are legally required to do.

"There is still an opportunity to rectify the situation and ensure MPs are able to support the vote on the Local Government Settlement within the House of Commons in early February."

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