PM: County job losses are not our fault (From Witney Gazette)

PM: County job losses are not our fault

6:40pm Tuesday 21st July 2009

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GORDON Brown tonight defended his Government against county council claims his administration was to blame for a planned loss of up to 500 jobs.

Speaking exclusively to the Oxford Mail following a surprise appearance at the TED Global conference at Oxford Playhouse, in Beaumont Street, the Prime Minister responded to comments made by the Conservative-led Oxfordshire County Council.

In a column in the Oxford Mail last week, council leader Keith Mitchell said: “We all know about the ongoing global recession.

“As a result of all that, the Government is billions of pounds in debt and will be looking for ways to recover that situation in coming months and years.

He added: “The majority of our money comes through our annual grant from the Government. We fear the council will get far less money through that grant in coming years.”

Mr Brown, who was giving his only media interview at the event, said: “We have given Oxfordshire County Council more than £100m this year.

“I think it was £104.8m and that’s more than last year, and they will benefit from our financial provision. I think the Conservatives managing the council need to see how best to make use of the resources we have provided.

“We have provided finance for the council and, if I may say, the Conservatives cannot say both at the same time – have more money for public services and want to cut tax.

“I hope people will understand we are providing the services and have made more than £100m available.”

He added: “I don’t like to have to correct a councillor, but the fact of the matter is we have continued with public service provision during the recession.

“We feel it’s right to maintain the allocation of funding to ensure that services are provided and to ensure there are public services in hard times, when life is more difficult.”

Asked whether it was a sad state of affairs for a local authority to be on the verge of cutting hundreds of jobs, Mr Brown refused to be drawn.

He said: “This is an issue about how a council allocates £104m, which is more than it had last year. It is up to the council itself, as we have provided extra money.”

Mr Mitchell said: “Our budgets for 2009-10 are unaffected. However, the Government is billions of pounds in debt. It’s common sense that in such a sitution any Government would seek to balance its books and that local government would be a financial victim as a result.

“Ours is a five-year plan, starting in April 2010, and it won’t happen in one go.

“We can review matters, as we set our budgets each year and, if the financial picture nationally improves, we can react accordingly.

“For now, however, the responsible thing to do is realise what’s on the horizon and plan well in advance for what’s likely to be a big financial blow.”

Mr Brown was one of a host of big names giving a speech on the first day of the four-day conference, which aims to bring together leading global thinkers.

Comedian Stephen Fry and philosopher Alain de Botton spoke on stage while, according to the Playhouse, Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz was in the audience.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk

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