Mike Amesbury and two other Cheshire MPs have written to the government urging it to provide extra cash for the council. 

Cheshire West and Chester is currently predicting a funding gap of £100 million or more over the next four years due to the rising cost of delivering services.

Chris Matheson (Chester), Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port & Neston) and Mr Amesbury (Weaver Vale) want more money for local government to be announced in the October 31 budget, but say they fear austerity is 'back on the agenda'.

In the joint letter to Simon Clarke, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, they wrote: “As three MPs whose constituencies are served by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC), we call on Government to ensure this and other local authorities receive the funding they need given the extraordinary cost pressures currently faced.

“It’s concerning to read national reports suggesting the new Prime Minister believes there should be return to austerity.”

The Labour MPs claim CWaC has already seen government funding cut by  half a billion pounds since 2010.

Their letter continued: “Additional not less funding is desperately needed to meet the increased demand for vital adult and children’s social care services otherwise significant reductions will have to be made in other areas.

“Further cost pressures include a higher than anticipated wages bill, expensive school transport costs for SEND (special educational needs and disabled) children and a fall in revenue from leisure facilities. Road resurfacing costs alone are expected to rise by 27 per cent because of an increase in material prices.”

The letter concluded: “As things stand, CWaC faces a staggering overall funding gap of more than £100 million over the next four years. However, this is completely avoidable.

“Government has made commitments around levelling up and enhancing resources for social care. Well, that now needs to be delivered for CWaC and councils across the country in the forthcoming budget.

“As three Cheshire Labour MPs, we call on Government to step up and step in to ensure local government is properly funded on behalf of our constituents.”

A Government spokesman, said: “We have made available an additional £3.7 billion to councils this year, including an extra £18 million for Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“We are also providing a discount on energy prices this winter for councils whose bills have been significantly inflated by the global energy crisis and stand ready to speak to any that have concerns about balancing their budgets.”