Conservative cuts worst in County Hall history

10.35.00pm GMT Wed 25th Nov 2009

Liberal Democrats in Northamptonshire have reacted strongly to news that Northamptonshire County Council faces a £100m shortfall over the next five years.

The news, announced ahead of a crunch Cabinet meeting next week, puts hundreds of public sector workers' jobs at risk.

Responding to the announcement, County Hall's Opposition Leader, Brendan Glynane (Lib Dem, Delapre), said:

"As far back as 2005, the Liberal Democrats warned against keeping Council Tax artificially low while the going was good.

"By raising Council Tax just 2% their first term, the Tories would now been sitting on a £20m fighting fund to ease the pace of these cuts.

"It is sad fact that public sector workers in Northamptonshire will now be paying for the 'lowest Council Tax in the country' with their jobs."

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Northampton North, Andrew Simpson, added:

"After a slew of financial scandals - from Carilliongate to a botched schools' sell-off and £629m of debt, the Conservatives can't credibly claim to have fixed the roof while the sun was shining.

"In his flagship party conference speech, George Osborne triumphantly claimed he would learn the lessons of Conservative councils in cutting costs across government.

"If £100m of cuts here in Northamptonshire are a reflection of the Conservatives' priorities in government, many Northamptonians will find voting Conservative at a General Election too high a price to pay."