I’m proud to have joined more than 120 MPs in signing a Unison letter calling for more funding for local government in the Budget.

Leicester City Council’s budget has been cut by 50% since 2010 and vital services are under more pressure than ever before.

I am extremely disappointed that the Chancellor failed to reverse the £1.3 billion of cuts planned for council budgets next year. The £650 million announced for adult and children’s social care makes up for barely half of these cuts and falls far short of replacing the £7 billion that has been cut from social care since 2010.

I will continue to fight for proper funding for local councils and the decent services on which we all depend. You can read more about the letter and Unison’s campaign here.