Andrew features in TV debate on BBC spending cuts report

Local MP Andrew Bridgen spoke out on spending cuts when he appeared on The East Midlands Spending Review programme on BBC One.

He took part in the show after the BBC estimated North West Leicestershire is likely to be hit hard by Government spending cuts. The constituency is the 185th most resilient to spending cuts of 324 areas, according to the BBC report.

The MP for North West Leicestershire, said: “There is no doubt that there are going to have to be some tough decisions made in October as we attempt to balance the nation’s finances.

“While the previous Government may blame the banks and global downturn, the truth is most of our debt is due to spending more than we can afford. We must address this if we are going to retain our credit worthiness in the global economy.”

He said the news that his constituency was in the bottom half of the BBC’s spending cut hit list was only part of the story.

“North West Leicestershire has much on its side when it comes to resilience to the spending cuts,” said Andrew. “We are 125th when it comes to business sector resilience and 147th in the high growth sector, and a highly encouraging 17th highest exporting constituency.

He said there were also concerns.

“We are in the bottom third for people who have no qualifications, and we must do more to offer further education and training to up skill our local workforce.”

The BBC figures were published before the autumn’s comprehensive spending review, in which plans for most Government departments to make cuts of around 25% will be outlined in an effort to reduce the £155 billion budget deficit left by the Labour Government.