Here are the reasons Theresa May’s ‘Stronger Towns Fund’ is a big ‘Brexit bribe’ boob
Yes, it’s time for the ‘liar liar’ image again: Theresa May is being economical with the truth regarding her ‘Stronger Towns Fund’ – again – it seems.
Mrs May has announced that she is giving £1.6 billion to deprived towns whose electorate voted for Brexit – apparently independently of whether their predominantly-Labour MPs support her Brexit deal, in a bid to avoid criticisms that it is a bribe.
Big deal.
It isn’t as much as the EU funding that these areas are going to lose; it doesn’t cover the amount that the Tories have cut from local budgets; and it is to be spread over a six-year period, meaning the amount likely to be spent per area is a pittance.
It isn’t even as if ordinary local – poor – people will have a say in what happens with what cash does become available to them.
The money will be allocated according to the wishes of Local Enterprise Partnerships – committees composed of local councillors and business representatives.
And what will happen to whatever results from this funding?
People have been suggesting capital projects such as new sports centres could result.
I don’t know if that’s true, but I know what has happened to sports centres here in Mid Wales after the Tories took over in Westminster and cut funding to local authorities:
They’ve been sold off into private hands.
So I tend towards the belief that Mrs May is leading us all down the garden path.
It seems this is just another way of handing huge profit-making cash cows over to rich private businesspeople at the expense of the poor.
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“It isn’t as much as the EU funding that these areas are going to lose;” You really should come clean here – the loss of EU funding equals the entire six year May offer every single year. There’s a colossal difference, please say so!
Oh, there’s a huge difference, no doubt about that. Factor in the loss of central government funding to councils over the last few years and you’ll see it doesn’t even cover that!
Why don’t they properly fund the Councils instead?
Well the “Eu funding” is just our money after the Eu has taken its two thirds slice, but the so called bribe doesn’t even come close to the amount of money austerity has removed from central funding for local government.
This is just another dishonest and blatantly corrupt Tory ploy. Anyone who believes May’s promises needs a psychiatric report.
Do you know if this is purely bribes to English voters, Mike? I saw a map of how much was being given to various areas and there were none in any of the devolved countries. I know you live in Wales so maybe you know if that was an England-only map I saw and if there might be another one that actually shows any cash going elsewhere or does May realise the bribes won’t wash with the devolved voters.
It is just for the English, yes.
hallelujah. . another money tree pulled out from her you-know-where
another miracle …