"The forecasts from the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (Icon) show crime rates and unemployment will rise until the next election in England's 613 most deprived neighbourhoods, despite the government's promises to invest in local communities. The report's authors warn the extra money ministers have pumped in is not enough to counteract longer-term trends such as the increase in antisocial behaviour and the problems facing the retail and hospitality sectors."
"In many of the areas that have disadvantaged neighbourhoods, such as Blackpool or Knowsley, we are seeing real terms cuts. The best we are doing is closing the gap on some cuts, the worst is that we are actually leaving councils with historically high levels of deprivation in an even weaker financial position."
"The fact that No 10 is asking the question is a good start, but now they know the scale of the challenge and the implications of not acting, it is incumbent on them to come up with a proper plan, with the funding, so that at the next election Labour MPs can point to tangible improvements in their area."
Forecasts from the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (Icon) indicate crime rates and unemployment will rise by the next election in England's 613 most deprived neighbourhoods. Extra ministerial funding is insufficient to counteract longer-term trends such as rising antisocial behaviour and the decline of retail and hospitality sectors. Many northern MPs express growing unrest about local government funding changes that risk diverting money away from northern towns. In areas including Blackpool and Knowsley councils face real-terms cuts and historically high deprivation, leaving them in a weaker financial position. Political leaders are urged to develop a properly funded plan to reverse decline and deliver tangible local improvements.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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