Member Article

Ray Mallon hits out over ‘unfair’ cuts

Middlesborough’s elected mayor has hit out at what he calls “unfair” governments cuts.

Ray Mallon had commissioned research from Newcastle University which concluded they would impact unevenly around the country.

Areas relying more heavily on public sector jobs would struggle more, and public services would be reduced just as the level of need increased.

Mr Mallon said deprived areas like Middlesbrough had been dealt a “disgraceful” hand.

He said that, as a result of its latest settlement, it was going to have to make cuts worth £50m over four years.

He said: “I could live with some of that, but not all of it.

“These cuts are too quick, too deep and too savage.

“This government doesn’t understand what social deprivation looks like and they certainly don’t know what it feels like.

“It’s an open-and-shut case that Middlesbrough has been dealt a disgraceful hand.

“I am angry and very disappointed that people like David Cameron and the people around him can treat us as badly as this.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .