Leeds City Council Leader reacts to Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“The Autumn Statement does not go nearly far enough in addressing some of the UK’s basic inequalities and there was very little, if any, mention of much-needed support for council services in Leeds.

“We need decisive action nationally to address rapidly escalating demand for social care services. Without intervention it is councils like Leeds that will be left shouldering the burden and our NHS will be pushed to the edge as it approaches its busiest time of the year.

“At Leeds City Council we are committed to continuing to deliver high quality public services for our citizens. However, we need Government action on funding if those services are to have a sustainable future.

“We welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse strategy, but we will have to wait for the detail to see how it will benefit Leeds. We also welcome the Chancellor’s focus on productivity in regional cities like Leeds.”

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