Clegg strikes back in row over North-South divide

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has defended himself against criticism from Sheffield Council leader Julie Dore, who has accused the Liberal Democrats of not acting to address the North-South divide.

Mr Clegg, MP for the Sheffield Hallam constituency, said he “would take no lectures” from the city’s Labour leader and instead called on her to work with him to address the problems faced in the north.

On Friday, Coun Dore wrote to Mr Clegg accusing his Government of “strongly exacerbating the North-South divide” and charging him with using “empty words” on taking action to close the gap.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She added: “One of the most blatantly unfair policies that you have introduced is the targeting of heavy spending cuts on local authorities in the North whilst some of the wealthiest councils in the country located in the South are receiving almost no cuts at all.

“Sheffield is receiving a cut of £123 per person, in Richmond upon Thames it is just £4, Wokingham £1 and nothing in East Dorset.

“It is inevitable that this unfair settlement is heavily exacerbating the North-South divide and I am asking you on behalf of the people of Sheffield to review this policy immediately.”

Coun Dore said other Yorkshire towns had also seen much more heavy cuts that those in the South, with Doncaster suffering savings of £144 per person and Barnsley £111 per head.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But in a response sent over the weekend, Mr Clegg rounded on Coun Dore, claiming that it was her party which had led Britain into a situation where cuts were required.

He said: “I am absolutely committed to closing the North-South divide – something I am disappointed to say is all the more urgent after 13 years of Labour in power.

“The difficult decisions the coalition Government are making now are a direct result of the economic mess left to us by Labour.

“We inherited astronomical debts, an economy in crisis, youth unemployment that had been rising since 2004, an unfair tax system and a welfare system that discouraged many people from working.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“On your charge that we are cutting the budgets of councils in the North more than those in the South, I am afraid you are simply wrong.

“Per head, the most deprived areas are getting three times more Government support than the most affluent.

“We are investing directly in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Just this week we announced a £58m investment in revolutionary new Tram Trains between Sheffield and Rotherham.

“These are difficult times and you and I are in a position to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

“Let’s put our differences aside and work together for the people of Sheffield and the North.”