Norfolk Liberal Democrats plea for more government funding

Liberal Democrat councillors and MP Steff Aquarone have called for the county to get a better deal in the upcoming Budget, announced later today.

In a joint letter submitted to chancellor Rachel Reeves, they say the county's potential has been "fundamentally hampered" due to a lack of funding for key services like transport and healthcare.

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More funding is also needed for local councils, which are facing huge pressures due to rising costs for adult social care, special educational needs and temporary accommodation.

It comes amid speculation that Labour's first Budget since winning July's election will see taxes raised in order to plug a "£22bn black hole" Ms Reeves says it has inherited from the previous Conservative administration.

Liberal Democrat MP Steffan Aquarone speaking recently in the House of Commons (Image: House of Commons)

In the letter, Steffan Aquarone, MP for North Norfolk, said: "Norfolk has been consistently failed by [successive Budgets]. 

"Our transport system, our health services and our local authorities are all in urgent need of greater support ... For far too many years, people in Norfolk have felt left behind by the Government due to the lack of investment."

The letter further highlights how Norfolk is a "dental desert" and that its hospitals are in urgent need of repairs.

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On funding for local councils, Mr Aquarone says: "Norfolk County Council is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, causing real worry to those who rely upon its services for adult social care or SEND education. The existing funding settlements for local government are clearly not working.

"I hope that, as you make the final preparations for the first budget of this new Government, you won’t continue the trend of the old one and leave Norfolk behind."

A letter to chancellor Rachel Reeves, signed by senior Liberal Democrat councillors and North Norfolk MP Steffan Aquarone (Image: Liberal Democrats) A letter to chancellor Rachel Reeves, signed by senior Liberal Democrat councillors and North Norfolk MP Steffan Aquarone (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Chancellor Reeves will announce the full details of the Budget later today, which could have wide-ranging implications for people living and working in the county.