Local Conservatives have hit out at Labour tactics of distorting the facts over the issue of free public transport for older people.

The massive shortfall in funding given to West Lancs Borough Council by the Labour Government means that, unlike in neighbouring Merseyside, older people here cannot receive both free rail and bus travel.

Adrian Owens, Conservative candidate for West Lancashire, explained: "Labour are trying to deflect attention from their outrageously unfair funding policy by blaming the Borough Council.

"The truth is that WLBC receives around £9 per head of population, whereas Merseyside receives nearly seven times as much at around £62 per head. With this massive gap, Council Tax would have to rise by around 15% just to plug Labour's black hole.

"The Labour candidate has ignored this unfairness by her Government for years and, instead, has attempted to deflect the blame onto the local council.

"If elected, I promise to campaign for fairer transport funding for West Lancashire at central government level where the unfairness arises."
 

20th April 2010