The Lottery of Cuts

As I embark upon my first post in quite some time, it would be perverse for me not to comment on the subject that's currently on everyone's lips; the C-word.  Cuts.


Today, I shall explore the idea that the severity of the cuts may well depend on where you live; and maybe not for the reasons that some people may have you think.


Today's news mentions a particularly controversial programme entitled 'The Street That Cut Everything'.  In this programme the BBC performed an experiment by cutting all council services from a street in Preston, and filming the consequences.  The controversy started when the producers brought in 20 dogs to foul the street.  Stephen Hammond MP was quick to denounce the Corporation's efforts:

"This is an outrageous piece of scaremongering by the BBC and compromises their editorial integrity.  We need a full and frank explanation from the organisation about how and why this is a good use of taxpayers' cash.  [this is] quite frankly [...] an unforgivable breach of editorial standards."

Whilst Mr. Hammond may have a point, so too (I am loathe to say) might the BBC.

The Coalition is going to face a colossal juggling act when it comes to making cuts in the grants made available to local authorities.  Whilst the immediate instinct may be to burden the cuts upon Labour councils in order to make life easier for their own representatives, such a move could very easily backfire when said councils speak out against such unfavourable treatment.

The spectre of cuts looms large.  But should we be more wary of Labour's axemen?

At the same time, the Coalition could burden the majority of the cuts upon Conservative and Liberal Democrat councils, trusting them to act as strong allies in this time of financial restraint, whilst giving Labour councils enough money so that they cannot make a big song and dance in the media about how cruel all these cuts are.

The big issue is this: no matter how they are treated by Central Government, Labour-controlled councils are going to be far more swingeing in the way they deal with cuts than those controlled by the Coalition partners.  A prime example is that set by Manchester City Council earlier this month, when it announced the possibility of 2,000 redundancies on the day of the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election.  A pure coincidence in timing?  I think not.

I worry that we are faced with the realistic prospect of Labour-controlled councils making headline cuts in major frontline services in order to score political points against the Government, whilst putting lives at risk.  Cuts which could easily be made in other areas such as unnecessary back-room staff.

The Labour Party is constantly saying that Coalition cuts will result in less policemen on the street and dangerous cuts to frontline services.

One has to wonder whether this is a warning or a threat from the Leader of the Opposition.