No hope on Leamside Line re-opening and fears for huge Council Tax rises after Chancellor’s statement

Responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Statement to Parliament this afternoon which saw transport projects axed and which refused to rule out hikes to Council Tax, Leader of the Opposition Lib Dems on Sunderland Council Paul Edgeworth said:

“It is clear that just like the Tories this Labour Government is committed to a new age of austerity – just with a red rosette on it this time.

“People across Sunderland will rightly be scared about huge rises in Council Tax as ministers have refused to rule out hiking bills.

“It is also clear that, despite warm words from the North East Mayor, any hope of re-opening the Leamside Line have been swept aside this afternoon as there is just no realistic prospect of ministers providing the funding for it seeing as they are axing existing transport projects left, right and centre.

“Local people across Sunderland, Washington, Houghton-le-Spring and the whole North East deserve much better.”