Newcastle city council's Labour leader has warned that funding cuts are pushing the city towards 'impossible cuts' to public services, with social care for children and transport for disabled children already under threat. Nick Forbes, who has led the council since 2011, said the cuts could make service provision 'completely untenable' by 2017.
Forbes told the Guardian that signs of social unrest are emerging, including far-right and far-left marches through the city, and people in abject poverty seeking help daily. He highlighted that Whitehall funding for children's social care has been cut by 32% while demand has risen by 40%, raising concerns about the impact on statutory responsibilities.
The warning comes after a National Audit Office report found that more than half of councils in England are at risk of financial failure within five years. Forbes criticized the government for being 'deaf' to the argument that cuts are unsustainable.
Forbes also expressed frustration with the national Labour party, saying he had only spoken to Ed Miliband 'in passing' and that a conversation with shadow chancellor Ed Balls ended in an argument over regional devolution. He urged Labour to reform local government finance urgently to prevent Labour councils from collapsing financially.
Local MP Chi Onwurah echoed concerns about the city's financial future, noting signs of unrest over issues like fortnightly bin collections. She warned that groups are exploiting divisions caused by cuts, blaming litter on certain ethnic groups. MP Nick Brown said a fairer funding formula and boosting private sector investment are key to improving Newcastle's fortunes.
