Local MP Norman Baker has slammed the government's latest spending plans in the Civil Defence Grant for emergencies in East Sussex as "totally inadequate" to protect local people.
Government spending on the Civil Defence Grant for East Sussex will rise by just 0.2% from £207,902 in 2002-03 to £208,288 in 2002-03, despite growing public concern at the threat posed by possible terrorist attacks. This is amongst the lowest increases in the country.
Research by the Lib Dems has revealed the total amount of money for each local authority to plan emergency strategies will drop by 3% in real terms from 2002-02 to 2003-04.
Speaking about the money for emergencies in East Sussex, Norman Baker says:
"The rise in the Civil Defence Grant for East Sussex is negligible despite the local council emergency services being asked to do more and more. The government is willing to pass the buck of dealing with emergencies to local councils yet are unwilling to provide them with adequate funding to enable them to do their job properly."
"The government must ensure that in the current volatile international climate, local people are afforded maximum protection wherever they live. 0.2% will do little more than provide people with blankets to hide under."
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