Wiltshire Lib Dems watching the Chancellor's 2021 Strategic Spending Review

The Chancellor's 2021 Strategic Spending Review will be watched very closely this week says Wiltshire Liberal Democrats leader Cllr Ian Thorn.

Wiltshire Council has received repeated Government bail-out payments to ‎offset the impacts of Covid on increased spending and lost revenue. Yet the councils financial crisis will run long beyond 2020. A budget black hole of £29 million faces the incoming council after next May's elections. The Government's view on the future funding of local councils will be vital in sustaining local services.
Wiltshire Council's staff and other workers in our Police, Fire Service, schools and other vital public sectors, will also be watching the Chancellor very closely.

Rumours are flying that the Tory "thank you" to all those who work so hard to teach our children, keep us safe and our vital services running will be rewarded with a pay freeze.

Many of us stood outside to express our thanks in the "clap for carers‎". That public "thank you" was genuine and heartfelt. Policy U-turns have been such a constant feature of this Government. Let us hope we witness another and ‎that our local, public sector heroes get the pay rise they deserve.

Cllr Ian Thorn
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition, Wiltshire Council

Story in New Valley News https://www.newvalleynews.co.uk/news/close-eye-on-budget/