On Tuesday I led a debate in Westminster Hall about local Govt funding on Merseyside. It is clear to me that for Liverpool Council and those living in the city austerity isn’t over. Watch the video below to see what I said in the debate.

The Tories are not stopping their never ending cuts to our council and our city, instead they are increasing cuts year on year. The Tories must see sense and provide more funding for council’s and the front line services they provide.

To add insult to injury the Tory Minister representing the Government in the debate failed to answer any of the points made by myself and my Labour colleagues. He then went on to claim that the Government has been “strongly supporting Merseyside”.

This is an unbelievable claim. The reality is that £344million has been cut from Liverpool Council, £100million cut from Knowsley Council, Police funding cut by a third, Police Officers cut by a quarter, Fire Service funding cut in half and Fire Service staff cut by a third. How do any of these cuts support Merseyside?

The Tory controlled Northamptonshire council has already collapsed under the strain of cuts inflicted on them. Liverpool councillors and MPs will not let the same happen to our city but the council is feeling the strain. We need more funding immediately! Failing that we need a Labour Government NOW!