Hampshire £175 million budget gap

Hampshire County Council this autumn released a report to announce that its previous budget gap has widened from £132m to a staggering £175m. In response, Hampshire’s Conservatives plan a vicious set of cuts to services ranging from public transport to waste centres, lollipop patrols, libraries and road maintenance.

The Conservative government left local councils at breaking point. Due to a lack of Conservative leadership and lack of future planning, Hampshire is in serious trouble. Commenting on the County Council’s statement, local campaigner Craig Card, said “Finances have been in free fall for several years at Hampshire County Council. To be told that Hampshire’s budget gap has risen to £175 million in just three months from £132 million reported earlier, suggests fundamental change in leadership is needed."