Southwark Liberal Democrats React to Spending Review

Southwark Liberal Democrats have responded to today’s spending review, unveiled by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves.  

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: 

“One of the top concerns residents raise with us is crime and anti-social behaviour. That’s why it’s deeply alarming to see such poor funding for policing in today’s spending review – which will only mean fewer officers on our streets. At a time when phone snatching is soaring and local teams are being pulled from areas like Canada Water, this is a reckless, backward step. 

We welcome signs of progress on funding for social and affordable housing – but the proof will be in the pudding. Southwark is at the epicentre of London’s housing crisis. Council housebuilding has already ground to a halt under this Labour Government, while the housing waiting list has ballooned to 19,000. There’s no clarity on whether Southwark will receive a penny of this new money to help those in desperate need. 

London boroughs like ours are already on the brink – and today’s announcements offer little reassurance. There’s no new support to help us tackle the cost-of-living crisis or deliver the services our residents deserve. Even the Labour Council Leader could see the writing on the wall – and threw in the towel. If a Labour council can’t deliver under a Labour government with a massive majority, what exactly is the point of Labour? 

And the continued lack of funding for the Bakerloo line extension – a project that could unlock tens of thousands of affordable homes – is a damning indictment of this government’s failure to back growth, jobs and homes. 

This is a spending review that leaves far too much up in the air. At a time when we need certainty, ambition and leadership, Southwark is once again being let down. Residents are crying out for change.”