Response to the Spring Statement, from the Leader of Redbridge Council
Published: 26 March 2025
Leader of the Council, Cllr Kam Rai said: “The Chancellor’s Spring Statement is welcome. The OBR forecasts confirm that the government is restoring stability to the economy, and household income is projected to rise, which can only be a good thing for residents here in Redbridge. Redbridge’s own Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, is driving generational reforms to the NHS that are benefitting people right here, and across the country.
"We know that the new government has been dealt an impossible hand. Rachel Reeves has inherited a a £22bn black hole to fill, and financial prudence is the only way in which to do that.
"I welcome the focus on investing in employment, with new support for getting people into work, growing local economies. This will make a real difference to the lives of our neighbours here in Redbridge, lifting people out of poverty and into secure work.
"The Chancellor’s announcement of further capital funding for infrastructure is promising, and we will work at pace to see how we can tap into this funding to undertake urgent repairs to Broadmead Road Bridge.
"I am also pleased by the commitment of additional capital funding by MHCLG earlier this week. The housing crisis is felt acutely here in Redbridge, and I hope that we will be able to tap into this funding and continue to build new, high-quality homes for local people to drive down our housing waiting list.
"I would, however, still like to see a concrete commitment from the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Communities to comprehensive reform of local government funding as soon as possible.
"Redbridge is the fourth lowest funded London borough, and the 11th most deprived. We face systemic underfunding as a council, losing over 50% of our real terms funding since 2010. We continue to deliver excellent service, being recognised as the most efficient London borough council by IMPOWER, and we have had to make really tough decisions in the last decade and a half to continue delivering for our residents.
"Every year, this administration delivers a balanced budget. However, with rising costs and demand, we need an urgent increase in funding from MHCLG to ensure this remains the case. We are still working diligently to make the case for fair funding for all local authorities, not just Redbridge.”
