Spending cuts make Covid recovery harder, MP claims

Speaking during question time for the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Mr Trickett highlighted areas of spending where Wakefield Council has seen its budget slashed in recent years, such as local care services, schools, youth support and child services.

The MP claimed that cuts to these services were indicative of levels of austerity that swept through communities across the North of England, leaving them ill-equipped to deal with the impacts of Covid-19.

He said: “In Wakefield we have lost over £50 million to local services, not to mention wage freezes to key workers. It’s time the government shows they have learnt lessons and restore levels of funding to communities in difficulty, whilst giving a rise to the key workers who have done so much to keep our country going.”

He said budget cuts to local services had gone hand in hand with wage freezes to key workers.