Council leader welcomes migration funding call

4.39.15pm GMT Thu 1st Nov 2007

Cllr Tony Woods welcomes the call for extra funding for public services

Cllr Tony Woods, Leader of Northampton Borough Council, has backed the call by the Local Government Association (LGA) for a £250 million fund to help councils dealing with large scale migration into their area. The LGA, which represents 400 councils across England and Wales, commissioned the report, which was carried out by the Institute of Community Cohesion.

It surveyed more than 100 councils and public bodies and found most reported pressure on services - with extra costs being met "at the expense of mainstream budgets".

The report highlights seven "key issues" for public services, including the impact on schools, child protection services, language barriers, housing, community relations, crime - often against migrants - and health.

Official statistics on population - used to calculate government funding to councils - underestimate the number of migrants they are receiving, and this week the government admitted they had underestimated the number of people coming here.

Cllr Tony Woods said:

"Northampton is among the councils that have received the biggest influx of people from abroad in recent years.

"We have welcomed thousands of people from Poland and Eastern Europe. They make a vital contribution to our local economy, and the government need to recognise that by ensuring both the Borough and the County Council get the government grant we need to deal with the pressure on local services.

"I welcome the Local Government association's all party report and call on the Government to ensure that Northampton gets a fair deal."