CHANCELLOR IS DISCOUNTING OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES SAYS ANNA SABINE MP
CHANCELLOR IS DISCOUNTING OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES SAYS ANNA SABINE MP
Responding to the Spending Review today (Wednesday 11th June), Anna Sabine MP for Frome and East Somerset has said the Government has once again ignored rural areas like the South West, instead prioritising urban areas and failing to provide additional investment for those in our area.
“I recognise the struggle that the Government faces after years of neglect by the Conservatives, but the Chancellor cannot talk of growth and sustainability for our population and continue to ignore the South West”
“Our farmers are ready and willing to produce food, but are continuously undermined by a slashing of resources, our bus networks, where even in existence, are crumbling and our hospitals and social care providers are struggling. If we want to see economic stability, we must support our population in their health and in their access to services and jobs. The South-West has enormous potential to provide for our country but the Government seems intent on cutting us off at our knees”.
Whilst Anna welcomes the investment into the NHS and the social care announcement, this isn’t expected for another three years, and though £800 million was pledged to the South- West region for transport improvements, this is focused on the greater Bristol area. Project Gigabit which was to bring superfast broadband to rural communities, has in this spending review, seen the deadline for spending the remaining £1.9bn pushed to 2032, further delaying the opportunity for reliable connections for many.
“The Chancellor spoke today of the priorities of the working people, but the residents of Frome and East Somerset are ready to work and prosper, and are being curtailed by a lack of funding and support which we crucially need”.
Anna Sabine MP will continue, with the Liberal Democrats, to scrutinise the spending plans of this Government and campaign for more resources for Somerset and the South West as a whole.
ENDS