Council leader's reaction to The Queen's Speech

Council Leader Richard Farnell

Rochdale council leader Richard Farnell has described the Queen's speech as a huge let down for Rochdale.

The government's legislation included several measures to deal with Brexit, but was light on very much everything else.

Councillor Farnell said: "All local council's are struggling to meet the spiralling costs of looking after our growing elderly care. In Rochdale we need at least £20 million to plug the funding gap but the government is ignoring this ticking time bomb.

"Without desperately needed extra funding, old people will not receive the time, care and quality of life they deserve. The government's inaction in shameful.

"There was nothing in the Queen's speech about properly funding our public services. Our hospitals face huge budget deficits and waiting lists are at a record high.

"If we are to keep our communities and streets safe we must reverse the cuts n police numbers. Only this week Greater Manchester's chief constable appealed for an extra 700 police officers. There should have been a Police Bill in the Queen's speech to ensure we have a first class force and the resources to tackle the growing threat of terrorism.

"Where was the legislation to tackle the housing crisis, protect consumers from being ripped off and bring in a decent living wage to make work pay?

"People rely on local services yet the government continues to cut our funding. Rochdale is facing £20m further cuts over the next two years. It cannot go on. We are down to the bone.

"This is a government that has run out of ideas and run out of time. Rochdale is being badly let down."