Cities and the spending squeeze

Date: 21/10/2009

A Centre for Cities & Local Government Association Question Time event

Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP, Justine Greening MP (Shadow Minister for Communities & Local Government) & Jeremy Browne MP (Lib Dem Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury)

Wednesday 21 October 2009, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ

The debate about how the next government will reduce public spending has now begun. What will the impact be of budget cuts in cities, and how might they respond? Should local politicians have more flexibility to raise and spend their own money, eg by being able to issue bonds? Could the users of public services contribute more to their cost? What's more important - big ticket items, like high-speed rail, or smaller investments, such as urban transport? And what does all this mean for significant political and financial devolution to cities?

Join our cross-party panel for questions and lively debate.

Dermot Finch (Chief Executive, Centre for Cities) will chair the session, with an introduction from Cllr Margaret Eaton (LGA Chairman)

RSVP to Niamh Sands at rsvp@centreforcities.org or tel 020 7803 4309