There has been a mixed reaction locally to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and Spending Review.
The leader of Staffordshire County Council welcomed George Osborne’s greater focus on health and social care and more cash for the NHS. But despite the scrapping of the proposed tax credit cuts, the Citizens Advice branch that covers Stone says there’s a long way to go before many families have financial security.
Chancellor George Osborne set out the spending priorities for the Government for the next five years in the statement yesterday.
[box type=”shadow” ]Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “The Government has made it clear that it needs to reduce government spending, so while there were no huge surprises today it was good to see greater focus on areas such as integrated health and community care. In Staffordshire, the care of the more vulnerable members of our communities remains a key priority and this year alone we invested an extra £20 million to support the frail, people with disabilities and the children in our care.”[/box]
The funding for local authorities will be detailed in the Government’s Financial Settlement next month. In yesterday’s statement the Chancellor also gave councils the option of considering an extra two per cent rise in the council tax to fund social care pressures.
Philip Atkins said: “While the Chancellor has recognised the huge pressures we all face in funding social care by offering the precept, our preference would be to look for better, more innovative and more affordable ways of working, only asking taxpayers to pay an additional precept for social care when we really have to.”
Meanwhile, Citizens Advice Staffordshire South West says the Government still has a long way to go before many families have financial security.
The charity, which serves Stone, Stafford, Cannock and Rugeley, says the Spending Review offers relief to households braced for tax credit cuts but sets a long-term challenge for local government.
[box type=”shadow” ]Sue Nicholls, chief executive at Citizens Advice Staffordshire South West, said: “A growing economy, more people in work and rising wages will bring benefits to households but there’s still a long way to go before families have financial security. The Government needs to look at tackling insecure work and the issues around the availability and flexibility of childcare to make sure people are able to earn enough to pay the bills each month.
“The change to tax credit cuts is a welcome relief but more changes to Universal Credit are yet to come. It is important people can access help and support so they can plan their finances in order to adapt.”[/box]
Citizens Advice Staffordshire South West is in Stone on Thursdays, in the town council building in Station Road. Call 03444 111 444 if you need advice (numbers starting 03 are the same as calling a local number).
