Assault on our services

Published: 8 July, 2010

• READING your front page (Axe list: libraries not safe July 1) I don’t think that you will have headlines big enough to describe the assault on public services that is about to hit us.

The government propose to cut a quarter, at least, of Camden’s spending. Imagine what such a cut would mean to your household budget.

This is going to hurt the people of Camden.

Yes we have to reduce the fiscal deficit but these cuts go deeper and faster than is necessary, prudent or just.

As council leader Nasim Ali spelt out in his first statement to the council Labour will do everything in our power to protect those in greatest need and families on modest incomes.

We have started with an ambitious review to save money in the Town Hall.

There is still a small window of opportunity before the government’s spending review in the autumn which will finalise the cuts.

I urge everybody who cares about Camden to press the government to recognise the needs of the elderly, mothers and children and our young people who stand to suffer if they take an axe to local government.

News this week that Camden’s Building Schools for the Future programme will be slashed gives us an immediate issue to rally round.

CLLR ANGELA MASON
Deputy Leader of the Council