IMMIGRATION MONEY WORRY

12.00.00am GMT Thu 1st Nov 2007

Former Devon County Council Finance Chair Graham Oakes has warned of government's slight of hand.

"Exeter and Devon have been under funded year after year by both Tory and Labour Governments. Money has been diverted to the South East away from the South West which has forced up Council Tax bills."

"The Government admits they do not know how many people have moved to the UK in recent years or how many have left. Immigrants from Eastern Europe, particularly from Poland have not acted like previous groups who have tended to live in particular areas; these new people have spread out across Britain."

"I support the Local Government Association in its call for £250M to help reduce the pressures, particularly on our schools; however this must be additional money, not just money moved from areas like Exeter. Slough shouts about the problems it faces and receives national coverage but immigration is not only putting pressure on council services in the South East but right across Britain."

"I appreciate that the Government is struggling to pay for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan but this must not result in cuts in vital services in Exeter."