Stockport MP Navendu Mishra has accused the local council of neglecting Reddish, claiming residents feel like a 'cash cow' who 'get absolutely nothing in return' for their taxes. The comments came during a Parliament debate on July 1, where Mishra criticised the Liberal Democrat-led Stockport Council for what he described as years of underinvestment in the area.
Debate Highlights Funding Disparities
During the debate, Mishra highlighted several issues, including the closed Stockport Central Library, the closure of Harrison's Weir bridge, parking charges, problems at the Lancashire Hill estate, a leaky roof at Reddish Library, and the long-term closure of Reddish Baths. He quoted a resident saying: 'It feels like Reddish is a cash cow, the residents pay lots in and get absolutely nothing in return.'
Mishra argued that both Labour and Conservative governments had failed to provide adequate funding to Stockport, but he specifically criticised the council for making political choices that overlooked Reddish. He called on Stockport Council 'to take investment in Reddish seriously.'
Council Responds
Stockport Council leader Coun Mark Roberts hit back, accusing Mishra of wasting an opportunity to champion Reddish's funding needs to the Labour government. 'I'm disappointed Nav Mishra MP wasted an opportunity to champion the significant funding needs of Reddish to the Labour Government and instead chose to use his privileged platform to simply try and score political points,' Roberts said. He added that the Labour government was pushing local services to the same point as during the previous Labour government, which forced the closure of Reddish's pool.
Government Minister Weighs In
Parliamentary under-secretary of state for housing, communities, and local government Nesil Caliskan acknowledged that areas like Reddish had 'paid a heavy price' due to austerity. She said the government was reviewing local government funding to prevent areas from being pitted against each other. Caliskan also noted £141m of local growth funding awarded to Greater Manchester over four years and £20m over ten years for Brinnington, and agreed to visit Lancashire Hill and Stockport to see the issues firsthand.
Criticism of Mispronunciation
Coun Roberts also criticised Caliskan for repeatedly mispronouncing 'Reddish' as 'Redditch' (a town in Worcestershire) and 'Brinnington' as 'Briggington' (in Bedfordshire) during the debate. He told the Manchester Evening News: 'It says everything about the current Labour government.'
Liberal Democrat MP's View
Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart, who attended the debate, said local leaders were best placed to make decisions but criticised the Labour government for leaving Stockport 'short-changed.' She noted that Stockport Council spends three out of every £4 on social care, limiting other choices.
