text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Local Government Financing - regrets the cuts - rejected
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  @ MP voted aye in favour of expressing regret in relation to central funding of local government and to base future decisions on local government funding on fairness, protecting front line services and promoting growth.
  @ MP voted no against expressing regret in relation to central funding of local government and against resolving to base future decisions on local government funding on fairness, protecting front line services and promoting growth.
  
  The majority of MPs voted to reject a motion[1] on Local Government Finance which had been tabled by the acting leader of the opposition Harriet Harman. The rejected motion read:
  
  ** That this House 
  * ''regrets'' the decision of the Government to introduce Â£1.165 billion of cuts to local government funding in England in the current financial year; 
  * ''regrets'' the Liberal Democrat members of the Government supporting cuts they opposed during the general election campaign;
  * ''notes'' the promise in the Coalition Agreement to âensure that fairness is at the heart of those decisions so that all those most in need are protectedâ; 
  * ''regrets'' that this programme of cuts fails to meet this test of fairness, as they fall disproportionately on the hardest-pressed communities;
  * ''notes with concern'' the principle set out by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 10 June that âthose in greatest need ultimately bear the burden of paying off the debtâ; 
  * ''condemns'' the failure of the Secretary of State to tell the House or local authorities where Â£504 million of cuts to funding will fall; 
  * ''further regrets'' the failure to consult local government on the allocation of the cuts; 
  * ''further notes with regret'' that the Governmentâs further decisions on the Future Jobs Fund, housing and support for neighbourhood policing will weaken the ability of local councils to shape and deliver services in their areas; 
  * ''regrets'' the failure to make any progress on implementing the previous administrationâs commitment to Total Place, enabling local authorities to deliver real efficiency savings and contribute to reducing the deficit while protecting frontline services; and
  * ''resolves''  that decisions affecting local government spending should be based on the principles of fairness, protection of frontline services and promotion of growth.
  
  The vote was followed immediately by a further division during which a government amendment was accepted by MPs[2].
  
  
  * [1] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmagenda/ob100629.htm  House of Commons Order of Business Tuesday 29 June 2010]
  * [2] [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2010-06-29&number=13 Local Government Finance Division Two 29th June 2010 ] - Description contains full text of motion as replaced by a Government amendment]
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  