Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council
Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council

Leader of Islington Council writes to Chancellor urging him to seize the National Budget to give local people, businesses and communities in Islington the support  needed to help make the borough a fairer place for all.

Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council, has highlighted three clear choices the Government should make in the National Budget next week (29th October), that would make a difference for Islington.

Writing to the Chancellor, The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, Cllr Watts has called for –

  • An end to cuts to local councils
  • Support for small businesses in Islington
  • Allow councils to build new council homes

Cllr Watts said:

“The Tory Government has hit Islington harder than almost anywhere else, despite our borough being one of the most deprived in the country. We desperately need the Government to use next week’s National Budget to support Islington.

 

“We are calling for next year’s further cuts to Islington Council and others around the country to be reversed, and for investment to be provided to help meet the growing need for emergency children’s services and adult social care.

 

“It’s not just the Council which is being hit by this Government. Small businesses across Islington are feeling the impact of the Government’s massive business rates rise. The Chancellor should use taxes on larger businesses to give our smallest businesses extra help. This would see around 850 small Islington businesses save around £4,000 per year.

 

“There has been much talk about the Government finally lifting the red tape that stops councils from building more new council homes for local people. The Budget is the chance to fully remove these barriers, and others, to allow councils to build many more new council homes. We are aleady delivering the largest council house building programme in Islington for 30 years, but we could go much further if the Government allowed us.”

Cllr Watts’ letter, which can be read in full below, also makes clear what is at stake in this Budget. He writes:

“This Budget is an opportunity to make a real difference for thousands of people in Islington, and to many more people across the country.

 

“Failing to act on the issues outlined in this letter will lead to more councils moving closer to breaking point, small businesses forced to close and will be another missed opportunity to tackle the housing crisis.”

 

Link to Instagram Link to Twitter Link to YouTube Link to Facebook Link to LinkedIn Link to Snapchat Close Fax Website Location Phone Email Calendar Building Search