At the budget meeting on Wednesday, Labour councillors will vote through their decision to slash £200,000 from adult social care. This cut has been vigorously opposed by both Conservatives and Merton’s disabled groups.

The Labour spin machine is already going full throttle, blaming their decision on government cuts.

Labour is spinning that they have no choice but to cut funding for day care services due to government "cuts".  This is false.  Fixing the economic mess left by the last Labour government requires tough choices, not bad decisions.

They are telling residents that from a budget of £550million they cannot find £200,000. They cannot find a saving of 0.04% to protect a service that enhances the quality of life for disabled people and their carers.

While Labour chooses to cut £200,000 from adult social care, only £3,000 is being cut from the council’s £600,000 communications budget.

Labour are ring fencing communications next year. Other councils cut spin budgets to support social care. This administration chooses not to.

So next time you read in My Merton about the great work that Labour claim they are doing or see a poster proclaiming their successes - just remember how Labour could have chosen to spend your money.

Councillor Hamish Badenoch

Conservative councillor for Village Ward