Leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, has today sent a letter to government ahead of Wednesday’s Budget Statement outlining the urgent support required for Hull.
The letter, addressed to UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, as well as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, details the difficulties the council would face sustaining key services without further government support.
In the letter, Cllr Ross said: “Although Hull has been able to set a balanced budget and maintain vital services over the last 12 months, it is clear that, without additional government support, from 2025, the council will be unable to maintain essential services needed to protect our most vulnerable and that our residents quite right expect us to provide.
“In common with most of the local government sector, Hull’s budget is being adversely impacted through ever-increasing demand for social care, both for adults and children in need, as well as by the increasing numbers of homeless people requiring our support.
“The council is also mindful of the need to continue our focus on economic and productivity growth and regeneration to secure the future of our city and sub-region.
“It is vital that next year’s Spending Review provides the necessary funding and mechanisms to support the key drivers of the growth in Hull and East Yorkshire, which I am pleased to say align with those set out in the government’s recent Industrial Strategy consultation.
“I appreciate that the state of the wider UK public finances will not allow for an immediate financial injection to offset the massive financial cuts inflicted upon the council over the last decade or so.
“However, it is vital that we at least see some evidence of the shift in policy direction with the contribution of local government section properly recognised.”
