Taking part in a debate on local government finance the Penistone and Stocksbridge MP, Angela Smith, slammed the cuts which are being forced by the new ConDem government onto Barnsley and Sheffield Councils.

She told the Commons that these cuts will have a detrimental effect on services in the areas but more than that unfairly target those who have the least.

Not only that but it is quite noticeable that it is the northern Metropolitan councils who will be bearing the brunt of the cuts, while the shire councils in the south escape much more lightly.

Commenting, Angela Smith said,

While everyone accepts that measures are needed to bring the deficit under control the £1.6bn worth of cuts being imposed on local authorities risk putting many important services under threat.

Not only that but with cuts being imposed in area based grants and working neighbourhood grants it will be those in most need who will suffer the most.What is also interesting it is those areas which have the greatest need which are being asked to cut the most, that cannot be right."

With the possibility that councils will be told make cuts in the region of 25% later this year I fear the worse for our local services."

The debate had been called by Labour to highlight the severity of the cuts being imposed by the coalition government on local government and show how they are being unfairly targeted at areas with the highest need and at people with the highest need.