There is no doubting the severity of the cuts announced by Manchester City Council.
While its understood that budget reductions have been imposed from the Coalition Government, the Council’s pledge to defend front line services is nonsense.
Cutting the majority of youth services and SureStarts in Manchester, then hoping the voluntary sector could take over them could make sense. Unfortunately the voluntary sector is being slashed by 22%.
In Hulme and Moss Side its expected that at least Hulme Library, the Martenscroft SureStart Centre, debt advice service and youth centres will go.
There has been no call to local groups and unions to discuss the best way of saving services, no consultation on how to support the most vulnerable in our communities.
Add this to the increase in charges from Council services and Housing Trusts, VAT increase, cuts to Manchester Advice services, reduced support available from Job Centres, it is not a stretch to imagine serious hardship coming back to Manchester. The Council wrings its hands and says there is nothing to be done yet the Airport owes it £83 million.
And when the dust settles, the Council will look to cut another £60 million next year.
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