Banbury politician asks Chancellor for fair deal for Cherwell which has been 'battered' by spending cuts

Cllr Sean Woodcock, leader of the Labour group on Cherwell District Council wrote the open letter to Mr Hunt this week. In his letter, he said:

"Under the Conservatives, Cherwell has taken a battering. Low growth, stagnant wages, high prices and failing public services have been the story of the last 13 years.

"Over the last 12 months, the inflation your party unleashed with the reckless mini-budget has deepened the cost of living crisis, pushing many Cherwell families beyond breaking point.

“Yet still, the Conservative Party refuses to give Cherwell a fair deal. New analysis reveals the staggering cuts successive Tory chancellors have inflicted in Cherwell,” he wrote.

“In 2010, under Labour, Cherwell received £9.95m a year – the equivalent of £14.5m today. Today we receive just £3.96m, a cut of 73 per cent.

“Even as the Conservatives have forced up council tax by 39 per cent, we still face a spending power reduction of 28 per cent.

“Cherwell is a proud area and we have no problem standing on our own two feet – but you are cutting us off at the knees.

“In the light of these figures, you must now offer a fair deal for Cherwell. Our area must not be hit harder than other parts of the country.

“I look forward to your reply – and a fair deal for Cherwell,” said Mr Woodcock.

The Banbury Guardian has asked the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for a response.