29/11/06-Gloucestershire Short Changed

Government settlement: Gloucestershire to get less than it needs

Gloucestershire is to receive a 3.8% increase in Government Grant this year, despite the Government admitting it needs a 4.5% increase.  The discrepancy means that for another year, the amount of money which the county receives will fall further behind the amount it needs.  Over £2.2m is being taken from the County’s grant to subsidise councils in other parts of the country – equivalent to 1% on Gloucestershire’s Council Tax.

Cllr Barry Dare, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, commented:

“The Government admit that, to give people in Gloucestershire a fair deal, for this year alone, we need a 4.5% increase – and yet they’re not prepared to give us it.  This isn’t the council saying we need more money – now even the Government agrees – even if it refuses to help.  We know that across this county, our schools, our hospitals and our councils have always got a raw deal under Labour – this is just more of the same.”