'This is a budget for the Conservative Party, not Greater Manchester...'

BURNHAM SLAMS LACK OF SUPPORT FOR REGION’S TOWN HALLS AS COUNCILS TRY TO BALANCE BOOKS

- JOSEPH TIMAN

TAX cuts, changes to child benefits and public sector reforms reforms were all announced in the budget yesterday.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed that a further 2p cut in National Insurance will be introduced from April, saving the average employee £450 a year.

Funding used by councils to provide free school meals during school holidays was also extended following cross-party calls from politicians across the country, including many in Greater Manchester. But there was little for specifically the city-region in the budget.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has criticised the lack of support for local government in the budget.

Speaking to the M.E.N, he said that the tax cuts which Conservatives have prioritised will only put pressure on public services.

It comes after Mr Hunt said that public spending would only increase by 1 per cent year-on-year as he called for a 'more productive' public sector. Mr Burnham said this means councils will not get the funding they desperately need - all to fund the promised tax cuts.