Brighton council and Sussex MPs react to autumn Budget

Yesterday, October 30, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered the autumn budget to Parliament, the first to be delivered by a female chancellor and the first Labour Budget in 14 years.

Councillor Bella Sankey, Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, has today welcomed the investment in public services.

Cllr Sankey said: “After more than a decade of underfunding, this council, like many others across the UK, is facing significant financial challenges.

Council leader Bella Sankey has reacted to the Budget (Image: The Argus) “Which is why the increase of £1.3 billion in grant funding for local authorities announced this afternoon, including £600 million for social care, is to be welcomed.”

“The measures unveiled in Wednesday’s budget will not solve all our problems overnight – and some tough decisions will still need to be made locally – but it does signify an important change in approach from the new government to addressing the root causes of problems such as housing supply and provides us with a far more optimistic economic outlook.

“We will work through the finer details of the government’s budget announcement, but the early indications are a comprehensive understanding of local government funding, an acknowledgement of the challenges faced by local authorities and an appreciation of pressures we know many residents are facing.”

READ MORE: Recap: Rachel Reeves delivers autumn Budget

Among Ms Reeves’ announcements was the extension of the Household Support Fund, a scheme which aids low income households with the cost of bills, food and essential items.

Cllr Sankey added: “Substantial investment in affordable housing and increased funding for schools and special educational needs are much needed and will go towards addressing some of the key challenges in the city alongside the welcome extension of the Household Support Fund for another year to help people through the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“Funding for breakfast clubs in our schools, hundreds of millions of pounds extra made available to tackle potholes, investment in green energy and a multi-billion pound commitment to a warm homes fund are all indicators that this Budget is one which should be welcomed by residents.

“The local government financial settlement, which tells us the exact level of funding we will receive from central government, will be announced in December. We will then prepare a draft budget for this council, which councillors will vote on in February.”

Brighton and Hove City Council is currently facing a forecast budget deficit of £105 million over the next four years, with a projected gap between spending and funding of £36 million over the next financial year.

Budget 'lacks real vision'

Other Sussex politicians also reacted to the Budget news yesterday, including Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Sian Berry.

She said: “After fourteen years of decimation, our public services desperately need proper, meaningful investment.

"There are some positives, including modest funding for the NHS and schools, but this Budget lacks real vision and ambition to put things right.

Brighton Pavilion MP Sian Berry has said that the budget 'lacks real vision' (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner) "The money to fund our public services is there but Labour lacks the courage to do what is needed and tax the very wealthiest to build a fairer, greener economy.

"Before the budget I wrote to the Chancellor with proposals for good value capital investments and revenue spending for Brighton Pavilion. Our city needs significant funding for housing and homelessness, for schools and fire safety.

"This Budget was also a chance to restore much-needed funding to councils like Brighton and Hove City Council for so much more that would benefit our residents, including dedicated support for young people in our city, and I’m so sad to see this chance missed for at least another year."

Lewes MP will hold government's 'feet to the fire'

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes James MacCleary said: “Once again, the ongoing crisis in social care has been sidelined in this Budget. It’s vital that we initiate cross-party discussions to tackle this pressing issue immediately. It has huge impacts for people waiting for care and major knock-on effects for the NHS.

“I’m pleased that the 72 Lib Dem MPs and their constituents calling for NHS investment have been recognised, but we need to ensure that the harm inflicted on local health services is properly addressed. I will hold the new government’s feet to the fire on the NHS to ensure the government delivers on healthcare promises.

“Our communities in Sussex urgently require substantial funding for local health facilities, particularly serving Seaford, Polegate and Willingdon. Everyone deserves timely access to a GP or dentist, and I will continue to push for this, alongside securing vital funding for Eastbourne Hospital.

Lewes MP James MacCleary said local authorities need 'urgent' help (Image: The Argus)“The significant hike of a rise on the bus fare cap from £2-£3 was clearly the wrong way to raise funds, as it will hit public transport users hard in a cost-of-living crisis.

“Local councils play a crucial role in our communities, but after 14 years of Conservative neglect, they are struggling to remain functional. It’s time for the government to step up and provide the support needed to rescue our councils before essential services fall apart.”

“The Government must urgently outline a comprehensive plan to address the funding crisis threatening vital services—from adult and child social care to deteriorating infrastructure and community resources like the Phoenix Centre, which is now at risk in Lewes.”

Budget is 'unambiguously on the side of the working people'

Labour MP for Worthing West, Beccy Cooper, joined the council in welcoming the Budget as a positive step for the local authority.

She said: “The Budget is great news for the country and for Worthing West. From investment in school breakfast clubs to raising the minimum wage for millions, this is the first budget in fourteen years that is unambiguously on the side of the working people.

"The package announced on Wednesday will improve services, grow the economy and tackle unfairness embedded in the system.

Worthing West MP Beccy Cooper has welcomed the Budget (Image: Dr Beccy Cooper) "I welcome the much-needed funding increases for special educational needs and social care to help families who need that extra support. As the former Leader of Worthing Borough Council, I was thrilled to hear Labour commit to the funding local authorities desperately need.

"I am delighted to hear the chancellor's vision for the NHS to move from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, from treatment to prevention. Our £22.6bn commitment to NHS frontline services will help fix the NHS and cut down waiting lists.

"Labour's Budget will fix the foundations of our economy and deliver on our promise of change."