In a letter to Fife News Papers, Fife Labour’s Finance Spokesperson Mark Hood has hit out at anti-family policies being supported by the Lib Dem’s and SNP politician’s in Fife.
Dear Sir,
Families are the building blocks of our communities; by supporting families and allowing them to flourish we build stronger communities. The policies of the early 80’s undermined families and subsequently our communities and damaged the long-term prosperity of Fife and its people. Today we see the same policies being implemented by local and national politicians who have failed to learn the lessons of the past.
Once again families bear the brunt of governments plans to cut spending at any cost. This month, hard working families will see the cost of childcare increase as the Lib Dem/Tory coalition at Westminster cut tax relief by 50%, forcing families to pay more for childcare. Next year, families, where one parent pays the higher rate of tax, will lose their child support benefit, adding further pressure on many family finances.
Anti-family policies are not restricted to Westminster, the SNP /Lib Dem coalition running Fife Council have also unleashed a range of cuts that will erode support for families.
Over the next three years over a £1m will be taken from the budget supporting children between 0-3 years old. Over the same period 28 full-time equivalent teaching support assistant posts will be cut from Fife primary schools. Opportunities for our young people are being withdrawn as swimming tuition for primary pupils is cut, and at the same time the Fife school dance festival has been cancelled.
During difficult times, we should be protecting those things that are important for the future of families and our communities. The SNP/Lib Dem politicians presently in power are ignoring the lessons of the past and are again cutting support for our families and local communities when it is needed most. Sadly the legacy of these cuts will be with us for years to come.
Mark Hood
Fife Labour
Finance Spokesperson
