Lib Dem leaders condemn Government cuts

DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg is facing resistance from Liberal Democrats over the pace and scale of the coalition Government's spending cuts.

An open letter signed by 88 leading Lib Dem politicians warned that the cuts would damage the economy and hit the most vulnerable.

Signatures on the letter include those of Staffordshire Moorlands Liberal Democrat group leader John Fisher, and fellow councillor Christina Jebb, plus Newcastle Borough Council's deputy leader Robin Studd.

Dr Studd said he signed the letter out of anger at the pace of cuts which he feels are being pushed through.

He said: "Because our council is not allowed to phase them even over two years, excellent schemes such as the facelift of housing in Silverdale and Butt Lane will have to stop half way through and that is totally unfair.

"Thirty-eight per cent of Newcastle people live in houses that are unfit to meet Government standards yet we are not allowed to do anything about it.

"Vulnerable people are going to suffer yet the Government, and particularly some rabid right wing Tory Ministers, are just not listening."

Lib Dem Communities Minister Andrew Stunell said: "I think it will be better to direct all our energy to solving these problems rather than falling out between ourselves."

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