Simon Danczuk reacts to Government Spending Review

Photo: Journeaux

Simon Danczuk

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has welcomed George Osborne’s U-turn on police funding cuts, but warned more needs to be done to protect local communities.

Delivering his Spending Review, the Chancellor pledged to “protect” policing budgets among a number of other measures which also included a reversal on planned cuts to tax credits.

Mr Danczuk said: “I have been a vocal opponent of police cuts and the impact they have had locally.

“But now is not the time for the opposition to pat ourselves on the back.

“Scrapping a planned budget reduction is not the same as reversing five years of cuts which have left Greater Manchester Police resources stretched and taken 150 officers off the beat in Rochdale.

“We now need to push the Government to get the properly funded police force that we need.”

After heavy criticism over his tax credit plans, Mr Osborne said he had decided the "simplest thing" was to avoid the cuts altogether

Nearly 40% of workers in Rochdale have their wages topped up by some sort of tax credit, a much higher proportion than the UK average.

Mr Danczuk said: “Even George Osborne could not ignore the charities, members of the House of Lords and even his own back benches, who all argued that tax credits cuts would be disastrous for working families.

“Labour’s job now is to focus on the details and ensure Osborne’s cuts are not felt disproportionately by the most vulnerable.”

The Chancellor also unveiled plans to abolish uniform business rates and allow councils to cut rates in order to attract businesses. Authorities will also keep 100% of the cash raised through rates.

Mr Danczuk said: “This is a step in the right direction but it is not the major overhaul that our antiquated business rates system needs.

“Only giving councils the power to cut business rates risks creating a race to the bottom. Local authorities need the flexibility to vary rates so they can offer incentives to attract retailers away from out of town retail parks and onto the high street.”