Comprehensive Spending Review Announcement: Spending cuts are going to hit all cities hard...
Date: 20/10/2010In response to the Spending Review, Alexandra Jones, Chief Executive of the Centre for Cities said,
“The toughest Spending Review in decades includes efforts to help cities to grow out of the downturn, alongside tackling the deficit. Measures like an extra £2 billion on capital spend, prioritising transport investment and the introduction of tax increment financing should help support the economic recovery.
“But unquestionably the spending cuts are going to hit all UK cities hard. Jobs will be shed across the public sector, with knock on effects among private sector suppliers. People will have less money to spend on the high street affecting our city centres. And, with welfare facing such severe cuts, cities with a high share of residents claiming benefits will undoubtedly feel the pinch. It’s often these cities that have borne the brunt of the recession and industrial decline, and are most reliant on the public sector for jobs.
“The extension of the Regional Growth Fund for a further year is welcome, as is further decentralisation and the removal of ringfencing. But finally winning responsibility for these decisions will be bittersweet, with limited money available. The pressure will now be on local authority leaders across Britain’s cities to take the right decisions on where to save and what to cut - to get private sector growth back on track."
To speak to a Centre for Cities spokesperson for background briefing or comment, please call Rosamund Taylor, External Affairs Manager on 020 7803 4316/07876 175 426
CENTRE FOR CITIES’ SUBMISSION TO THE SPENDING REVIEW
The Centre for Cities’ submission to the 2010 spending review is available online (www.centreforcities.org/spendingreview). Its recommendations included the extension of the Regional Growth Fund and the prioritisation of infrastructure spending, with a specific emphasis on transport.
