Hain Criticises Cuts to Local Community Safety Fund

MP for Neath Peter Hain has spoken out against the Government’s ‘severe’ cuts to the Community Safety Fund for 2013-14.

Figures release this week by the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, Rt. Hon. Alun Michael,  reveal that the Home Office has replaced a number of separate funding schemes amounting to £4.7 million with a single fund of just under £3.5 million to spend according to his priorities in the Police and Crime Reduction Plan.

Mr Hain says, ‘This is yet another example of how disastrous Government cuts are affecting the most vulnerable and at risk in our communities. for the Neath Port Talbot Youth Offending Team alone, this means a funding cut of £8,462.’

Continuing, Mr Hain says, ‘There are now 20,000 children and young people in Neath classed as being in poverty, which is living in a household that earns less than 60% of the average national income. Opportunities for many of these young individuals already feel few and far between.

‘The Neath Port Talbot Youth Offending Team offers support and encouragement to young people who need to turn their lives around. Cutting funding to these vital services simply means that another door is shut in their faces.’