2015 council cuts in Reading

The next round of cuts are on the agenda for the council's upcoming policy committee. Greens are opposed to austerity. Join us and make a difference. https://my.greenparty.org.uk/civicrm/membership/joining 
 
The link below takes you to the report. Appendix 1 contains the cuts (page C25):
http://beta.reading.gov.uk/media/3560/Item-9/pdf/item09.pdf

Since 2010 the government has reduced its funding for local government in England by about 40%. Between now and 2018 a further £45 million will be cut (35% reduction in the money we currently have available). At the general election all of the main parties were signed up to austerity, which ever one was elected, Conservative or Labour, these  devastating cuts were  tragically coming.

Services have been cut to the bone over recent years, Labour are now crunching through the bone and we are starting to lose whole chunks of public service. Here are a few of the cuts:

South Street
So far the proposed cut which has received most attention is the one proposed for South Street. The council is seriously looking into selling this building even though the cost to the tax player is relatively small at around £30,000. Save South Street Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1039760576048947/?fref=ts

Adult social care
Care for older people and people with disabilities continues to be hit hard – the NHS may have been ring fenced but adult social care definitely has not. Many of the savings in this area revolve around cutting care packages (help getting up, help at mealtime and other support).

Sustainability manager
Despite massive carbon savings and reductions to the council's energy bills more cuts this year to the sustainability team. I'm waiting for more information on this, so I'm not sure how many people will be left and if it will qualify as a team any more...

Council Tax support scheme
In line with the Conservative governments crackdown on Social Security and the safety net that is there for all of us who fall on bad times the council tax support scheme will be less supportive. This will mean 7493 people who qualify for this benefit will get less and end up having to pay more – not easy if you are on a low, fixed income.

The Green Party is the only party on the council opposed to the government's austerity agenda. At the recent general election all of the other parties proposed slightly different versions of the massive cuts we are now being hit by. Greens are principled, we will continue to argue for an end to wasteful spending, such as over £100 billion on replacing Trident. Greens are courageous, we will continue to lobby for a fairer tax system where large corporations and the very rich pay their fair share. Greens are caring, we will continue to work for investment in public services, people and ultimately the future.

We want to see policies for the common good, not just the few at the top. Join us and make a difference: https://my.greenparty.org.uk/civicrm/membership/joining