Northumberland Labour Group calls time on Tory failures and broken promises ahead of Budget

Northumberland Group Labour calls time on Tory failures and broken promises ahead of Budget As the Tories plan to announce their Budget for 2019/2020, Northumberland Labour Group is urging Peter Jackson to follow through on his promises, that two year’s in, look further away from completion than ever. Many vital projects, started under Labour, have been kicked into the long grass or abandoned altogether since the Tories took control of Northumberland Council in 2017. The list of Tory failures includes: - The abandoned Ashington Council HQ site, which instead of housing a cinema and shops, is home to a giant hole. - Canceled plans for new schools and car park infrastructure in places like Amble, which could help the local economy thrive and create income for the Council. - Turning down income and investment plans for Blyth and turning away tourism. - Demolishing Invest to Save schemes across Northumberland, leaving a long-term black hole. - Failing to get the Government to recognise the challenges faced by Northumberland and its residents. - Spending over £17million on old County Hall with no Invest to Save schedule for the future. - Spending huge proportions of money serving the interests of Tory voters while areas in real need of investment with significantly higher populations go without. Commenting on the Tories inability to deliver on projects or follow through on their promises, Councillor Scott Dickinson Northumberland Labour Group Chair said: “Peter Jackson and his cronies talk a good fight but they have huge questions to answer over the astonishing lack of progress since they took control of the Council. “They've completley clocked off on projects like the Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth and Newbiggin developments. The lies they continue to peddle that Labour got them into this mess is complete myth. Their excuses are running thin and the public is losing patience. “Instead of trying to blame Labour, the Tories need to put their promises into action. People in Northumberland deserve better.” On 20 February Labour will be voting on the 2019-20 budget plans of our Tory-led county council. The Northumberland Labour group has been working on a costed, alternative budget, pledging to: Use your money properly, dealing with the swingeing Tory cuts in Northumberland. 

We would prioritise money where it’s most needed;

Our costed plan is different to the Tories, we would protect our most vulnerable by not increasing care charges and restore the Council Tax Support for those that need it; 

We would protect the Youth Services for young Northumbrians;

Maintain the cost of waste collection to reduce fly tipping and encourage recycling;

Build low cost rental homes in areas of need through Advance Northumberland;

Support those in need by ensuring proper investment is provided to support low paid workers and families claiming Universal Credit We want to make sure everyone living in our county can be sure their council is working for them, not just a chosen few. Ends Background information Since the Tories took control in 2017 they have attempted to pin the blame on Labour for their own financial mismanagement. They will claim they ‘inherited’ a financial mess left by Labour. The county council itself produced a document to show the Labour council did not leave the council in a mess. The council’s report has been externally verified by auditors Ernst and Young. The Labour-led council, as it was legally obliged to do so, balanced its books. It’s the decisions made by the Tories since they came to power that have resulted in a financial back hole.