Extract from Commons debate on the Queen's Speech - June 28
Thursday, 29 June 2017 07:42
Gerald Jones (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney) (Lab):...We know that the
Tory-led Governments since 2010 have promoted the mantra of
austerity. We know that austerity is a political choice. After
seven years of austerity, we know only too well the effect that it
has had on our communities and our public services. As a former
county councillor, I have seen at first hand what the Tories’
austerity agenda has done to local services—services that many,
many people use and appreciate. Services such...Request free trial
(Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)
(Lab):...We know that the Tory-led Governments since 2010
have promoted the mantra of austerity. We know that austerity is a
political choice. After seven years of austerity, we know only too
well the effect that it has had on our communities and our public
services. As a former county councillor, I have seen at first hand
what the Tories’ austerity agenda has done to local
services—services that many, many people use and appreciate.
Services such as leisure centres, libraries, youth centres, Sure
Start centres and many, many more have been cut or closed as a
result of Tory austerity. Under the previous Home Secretary, who is
now Prime Minister, since 2010 we have seen police numbers cut by
20,000. South
Wales Police and Gwent police, who cover my
constituency, have, like other forces across the country, lost
police officers from the frontline. That has had a huge impact on
the police service and its ability to deliver a visible assurance
to many communities. The police have got on with the job, because
they are professional people who serve our communities, but the
service that they provide is under huge pressure. Something that
has all but disappeared is neighbourhood policing. In my
constituency, the ability of the police to provide effective
neighbourhood policing teams in our communities is just not
there...
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