This week, the Local Government finance crisis hit the headlines and it’s been widely documented that Trafford Council is one of the lowest-funded councils in the country. 

Unfortunately, the council tax we pay only covers a small percentage of the costs that the council incurs. Trafford Council, like other local authorities across the country, rely on Central Government for grants to pay for most things and that funding has been decimated. 

Since 2010, the Conservatives have cut funding to Trafford Council by 60 per cent in real terms and the council has lost approximately £288 million. This has caused a huge strain on the most vital services, such as children’s services, social care, highways and environmental services.

Trafford Council is spending 60 per cent of its total budget on adult and children’s social care – this includes nursing home provision and funding home carers, so that people can live independently. The demands in this area are only going to increase as the population ages.
I know Trafford Council works hard to manage these funding pressures, to try and protect vital services for residents. But the current situations is unsustainable.

Two weeks ago, following heavy pressure, the Government announced an additional £500 million in new funding to be given to councils to support adult and children’s social care. But this is just a plaster on a gaping wound. That’s why I was so pleased to hear Keir Starmer promising to provide long-term funding settlements for struggling councils if The Labour Party is elected at the next General Election.

As the MP for Stretford and Urmston, I have repeatedly raised concerns over Local Government finance. Over the next 12 months, I plan to push Ministers to do more on this issue. The people of Trafford deserve quality services and to deliver them, Trafford Council needs to receive adequate funding.  

Unfortunately, it’s not just council budgets that are being squeezed. My team and I are speaking to people daily that simply can’t make ends meet. People are becoming homeless because they can’t afford their rent increases and parents are struggling to get their kids to school on time because they simply can’t afford to put fuel in their cars. The Trussell Trust has also reported an 80 per cent increase in the number of food parcels given to children in my constituency. I will continue to fight for those residents and to put pressure on this failing Government, because this can’t go on.

Next month’s Spring Statement will be a chance for a reset, but I have a feeling that we can only expect this current Tory Government to throw us crumbs. I can’t say that I am expecting to see any meaningful changes that will benefit the people of Trafford.

The Conservatives are crushing Trafford residents at every angle. This needs to end. The people that live in Trafford deserve more.

The sooner a General Election is called, the better.