LOCAL government is ‘on its knees’, claims Northwich MP Mike Amesbury.

The Weaver Vale MP – who is also a vice president of the cross party Local Government Association (LGA) – was speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Local Government funding.

According to the Conservative-led LGA, main government grant funding for local services will be cut by a further £1.3 billion (36 per cent) in 2019/20 despite many councils already facing overspends.

Mike told the debate: “On Saturday I was with a number of Unison members and frontline workers who work in local government.

“Despite the horrendous cuts of £330 million to my local council, they are doing a brilliant job, but they are now telling me that local government is on its knees. Does my honourable friend agree?”

Thelma Walker, Labour MP for Colne Valley, who called the debate, replied: “I do agree. Nine of the 10 most deprived councils in the country have seen cuts of almost three times the national average of £255 per household.”

Speaking outside the chamber, Mike added: “Council services permeate most aspects of our everyday lives, from looking after our elderly and vulnerable relatives to ensuring our environment is clean and our buildings are safe.

“These are not luxuries, these are vital services which are in many cases now barely functional.”