Oldham MP supports Council Leader’s letter to PM

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has offered his support to a letter Oldham Council Leader Cllr Sean Fielding has sent to the Prime Minister.

The letter comes after the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick seemed to walk back on his earlier comments that councils should spend whatever was needed and seemed to raise the issue of councils “burden sharing”.

Mr McMahon said: “Originally the message from central government was to do what was necessary to keep residents safe and healthy, and it’s obvious that Oldham Council and others across the country would do that.

"They needed to do whatever it took to fight this virus, and now to be told that the money might not be coming would be disastrous for Councils.

“It’s time for central government to honour the commitment councils took in good faith at the time of a national crisis.

"They are on the front line of this crisis, providing key public services across the board and doing their best to protect their residents.

“Oldham Council’s budget has already been massively depleted since 2010.

"It’ll be impossible for them to carry on if they’re not reimbursed for the money they have to spend on the coronavirus crisis.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.