Kicking back at austerity

Is a helping hand from the government too much to ask?

The last few weeks have seen warm words from Theresa May about a promised end to austerity do little in the face of some cold hard truths.

Our police chiefs rained on Theresa’s Tory conference parade with a withering account of the effects of austerity.

Durham Constabulary’s Chief Constable Michael Barton described the government’s austerity cuts to his force as “traumatic” while Northumbria Police chief Winton Keenan simply revealed the numbers ... 1,038 fewer officers in eight years! The health service is receiving some short-term extra help as it faces another tough winter, but desperately needs a long-term solution which no-one in government appears eager to address.

For council services, the forecast is even more bleak.

Council tax may well rise by just under four per cent next year as Sunderland City Council reveals as much as £50m may have to hacked off budgets over the next three years.

The safety net of Universal Credit is looking increasingly fragile.

As we reveal today, more than 4,000 in our city have been moved onto the controversial benefits system amid claims it could end up leaving some families with children out of pocket by as much as £50 a week.

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Margaret Greenwood said: “Universal Credit was designed to lift people out of poverty and smooth the transition into work to ensure that it always pays. The reality is that Universal Credit is a vehicle for cuts.”

We know a helping hand from this government is rarely extended, but a few less kicks to the stomach would be appreciated.