Local Works, a national coalition of over 100 organisations, today joined together to congratulate Paul Farrelly MP for backing a call to increase transparency on how tax payers’ money is spent in our communities.
Paul Farrelly MP has signed House of Commons Early Day Motion No 1064 in support of Local Spending Reports being published to show how taxpayers money is spent locally by central and regional government agencies.
The Sustainable Communities Act of 2007 requires the government to publish Local Spending Reports. Government Ministers categorically promised (see below) that these would show a local breakdown of how all taxpayers money is spent - something that has never been done before. Whitehall officials are, however, resisting this. EDM 1064 supports the Local Spending Reports being published in full as Ministers have promised.
Local Works Campaign Co-ordinator, Steve Shaw, said:
“In these credit-crunch times people are more concerned than ever about their taxes being spent on things that communities really want and need. Government Ministers promised that the Local Spending Reports, required by the Sustainable Communities Act, would show a full breakdown of how all public bodies - including QUANGOs and national agencies - are spending our money in our local areas. This has never been done before. But Whitehall mandarins are snarling things up, so Parliament must act to ensure the figures are fully published. We therefore congratulate Paul Farrelly MP for supporting full Local Spending Reports.”
Local MP, Paul Farrelly, said:
“Local people should also be able to see how their taxes are spent in their communities not just by local councils but also by government agencies and QUANGOs. I therefore support the publishing of the Local Spending Reports in full, as promised by Ministers, and will do all I can to ensure that this happens.”
Local Works Coalition Members include:
- ACS - the Association of Convenience Stores
- Age Concern and Help the Aged
- CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale
- Environmental Law Foundation
- FSB - the Federation of Small Businesses
- NCVO - the National Council for Voluntary Organisations
- NFRN - the National Federation of Retail Newsagents
- NFSP - the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters
- PCS - the Public and Commercial Services Union
- SIBA - the Society of Independent Brewers
- UNISON
As well as:
- Association of Chief Police Officers
- Black Environment Network
- Campaign for Better Transport (formerly Transport 2000)
- Campaign for Community Banking Services
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Communication Workers Union
- Community Recycling Network
- Co-operative Group
- Countryside Alliance
- CTC - the National Cyclists Organisation
- Equality and Human Rights Commission
- FARMA - the National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association
- Food Commission
- Food Links UK
- Friends of the Earth
- Garden Organic
- Greenpeace
- Law Society
- Local Government Information Unit
- Living Streets
- Muslim Council of Great Britain
- National Association of Local Councils
- National Federation of Women's Institutes
- National Pharmacy Association
- National Pensioners' Convention
- nef - new economics foundation
- Police Federation of England and Wales
- Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales
- Ramblers
- Rural Shops Alliance
- Socialist Environment and Resources Association
- Shelter
- Soil Association
- Unlock Democracy
- Womens' Environmental Network
- Woodland Trust
For more information visit the Local Works website -
www.localworks.org