Cuts 'will not leave regions high and dry

David Cameron and Nick Clegg both sought to ease fears over the impact of impending cuts yesterday by promising emergency help for regions more reliant on the public sector.

The Prime Minister – who initially promised the help in an interview with the Yorkshire Post last week – told MPs that there would be "difficult decisions" but there would be extra help for those areas with a high dependence on public sector jobs that could be "adversely affected".

It followed an interview by the Deputy Prime Minister where Mr Clegg, MP for Sheffield Hallam, insisted he would not leave areas "high and dry" as the budget deficit is tackled.

"I am as aware as anyone else of the dangers of the disproportionate impact on those areas of the country which are very dependent on public sector employment," he said in an interview.

"What you will see over the next few weeks and months is a series of measures that we are taking to ensure that, as the black hole is addressed, it's done in a way which is sensitive – much more sensitive than in previous recessions – to the particular need of those parts of the country that are very dependent on the public purse."

Neither man has specified how they will help but Mr Cameron suggested measures could be outlined in the Budget later this month.

Emphasis will still be placed on the private sector.