The real deal

Angela Rayner: we need a real deal

Angela Rayner, MP for Failsworth

I want to see genuine devolution where power and decision making is in the hands of the people, through their accountable and elected representatives working with our local communities.

The Northern Powerhouse must not be a Tory Trojan Horse, which obscures massive cuts and worse pain for working people in my constituency of Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth.

Already George Osborne’s £6 billion devolution of health and social care services to Greater Manchester has masked a £2 billion black hole. We are not being given enough money to improve the vital services people rely on.

“Transferring the further education budget to Greater Manchester was accompanied by a 25 per cent cut in funding. That means fewer courses and less opportunity for our young people, when the country’s economy is crying out for a new skills revolution.

Hidden cuts like this come on top of the astronomical cuts local councils have been forced to implement for the next five years — with many seeing their budgets almost halved.

“Chancellor Osborne needs to put up or shut-up. That means a fair deal and fair funding for Greater Manchester — not spin, but no substance, about genuine devolution.”