Cash settlement for Derby 'already takes account of trends in migration'
THE Government has responded to demands for more cash to help accommodate new migrants entering Derby by saying the city council's existing grant is "fair".
The amount of money given to the authority for 2013-14 by Whitehall took "projected figures based on previous (migration) trends into account", said a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government.
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The city council's Labour leadership said the response was "disappointing".
The authority is drawing up a plan to lobby the Government for more cash to help it create things like the social housing and school places needed to cope with more migrants, particularly from Eastern Europe, coming to live in Derby. Its move comes as scores of additional people are expected to come to the city from Romania and Bulgaria next year under European Union "freedom of movement" rules.
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The council has already forked out a grant of £15,000 for Normanton-based Jobs, Education and Training (JET), which helps the unemployed find work.
The centre has seen a 200% rise in visitors, most of them from Eastern Europe, in the past year and its chief executive says the service is "at breaking point".
Mohammed Sharief says the increase is down to tougher Government rules for when jobseekers can claim benefits.
But the Government spokesman said: "Councils account for a quarter of all public spending and receive more than £114 billion of taxpayers' money each year. This (the funding for 2013-14) is a fair settlement and councils ready to strive for their communities by promoting local growth will now be rewarded with more income."
Derby City Council is set to receive £124.9 million from the Government's revenue support grant and retained business rates. The authority's cabinet member for neighbourhoods, Councillor Ranjit Banwait, said: "We are at a time of unprecedented cuts. If we take on a new community or several communities we are clearly going to need time and investment to help them integrate."
He called for a Coalition minister to visit Derby and places like JET to get a clear picture of the issue.
He said: "Anyone can sit behind a desk with loads of figures in front of them."
42 Comments
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by ikapsoras
Monday, March 04 2013, 10:05AM
“Mokhtar Belmokhtar.
1 less.”
by SarahL123
Sunday, March 03 2013, 8:32PM
“Oh dear, Hamed, BN was already close to the edge, but posting such inflammatory (and equally racist) comments has simply given his views validity.
If you truly believed in harmony you wouldn't stoop to his level. I only hope you are a troll, because you have just opened the flood-gates for all the Muslim haters. Silly boy!”
by Hamed32
Sunday, March 03 2013, 8:21PM
“I have always worked but my parents are in receipt of generous benefits now they are pensioners.
Are they scroungers ?”
by Hamed32
Sunday, March 03 2013, 7:34PM
“Breaking news are you being general in your description of muslims or are you making a point about a tiny minority of extremists ?.
Are you a member of any far right organisations ?
Would you have a problem if any of your son's or daughters wanted to marry a muslim ?
This is a very tolerant country so why are you being intolerant ?
Have you ever considered circumcision ?”
by Wafty
Sunday, March 03 2013, 6:25PM
“Hamed32: "British soldiers have never fought a battle in my name as I was born well after WW2 so I have no need to 'Remember them'."
If you're as British as you claim to be, then they fought for you in Ireland, the Falklands, Iraq and in Afghanistan - you may not agree with or support any of those conflicts, but the army fought in each one on behalf of Britain and the British people - and any blood spilt is on your British hands. If you find that offensive, I suggest you consider repatriating yourself to a country that more closely supports your personal ideology.....”
by Hamed32
Sunday, March 03 2013, 3:07PM
“I am a British Muslim whether Breaking news likes it or not.
For reason of balance and fairness I wonder if he'll also post outdated verses of the bible which has no place in modern day society ???”
by SarahL123
Sunday, March 03 2013, 2:57PM
“@BN - an interesting, if rather bizarre argument. I take it to support peaceful Christians is equally to show support for terrorists? You may wish to consider your response very carefully in light of your recent posts stating one must follow Christianity in order to be considered British.”
by Neo_MadBadger
Sunday, March 03 2013, 2:42PM
“BN, Sarah has not defended those who support and fund terrorism at all. You think she has because you think that every muslim and Irish person supports and funds terrorism. Which is why I believe that you are an extremist yourself.”
by Hamed32
Sunday, March 03 2013, 12:28PM
“I would rather kill myself than be at war with a fellow Muslim.
Islam preaches peace and understanding if you follow it properly and try not to read between the lines. Just like Christianity and Catholicism it can get hijacked by a few extremists.”
by WillCroft3
Sunday, March 03 2013, 11:37AM
“This thread in in Danger of being hijacked by extremist groups,
now we cannot do anything about the people and their families who already live in this country; because that is just racism.
The hard fact is that the British Isles (England in particular) are too small to take all the immigrants that want to come hear, So some sort of immigration control is necessary, example only take the ones that we need like Fitters Joiners & Nurses.
Now New Zealand are much more selective about the number of immigrants they take than what we are.
There are other ways of controlling the population for example by not encouraging people to have such large families; with benefits etc.
Or one day the uk government may have to look at other less pleasant ways of controlling the population, like fining people who have more than so many children.
However we must be careful not to vote for extremist political parties, who may suddenly decide to include the Scottish & the Welsh to their list of people who Have to leave this country.”