Yesterday I called on the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt not to direct further cuts against Sheffield Council as he seeks to reverse the “mini Budget”.

I said:

“Contrary to last week’s pledge by the Prime Minister, the latest Chancellor has said he will cut public spending. Sheffield Council has seen its Government grant halved in real terms over the last 12 years, as Conservative Chancellors have boasted about shifting money to wealthier areas.

“We’ve lost £2.1 billion; the annual grant is worth £288 million less; local services have been decimated. So will the Secretary of State press the Chancellor not to make any further cuts to council funding, and redress the damage already done?”

Responding for the Government, Minister Paul Scully MP spoke of £24.2 million of spending capital spending in Sheffield and South Yorkshire.

This Government are taking people for fools. How do they think £24 million one-off spending compensates for 12 years of cuts totalling more than £2 billion?

Local councils have faced the biggest reductions in public spending and cities like ours have paid the extra price as the Tories divert money to places like Tunbridge Wells.

Now they’re threatening a second round of austerity to pay for the mistakes Liz Truss has made with the economy. On top of rising mortgages, rent and prices, they’re planning cuts in local services which have already hit the quality of life in cities like ours.

You can watch the exchange below or read it here.