Herefordshire wages are going down due to lack of road building, say Tories

Earnings in the county have decreased by 1.1% in the last year while neighbouring areas have seen an increase, according to figures presented at Herefordshire Council’s meeting on Friday (October 9).

Tory deputy group leader Nigel Shaw claimed the current administration’s “habit of causing delay and making U-turns” is starting to hurt the local economy.

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“I’m pleased to say in the last 12 months salaries have increased by 4.3%,” he said.

“In Shropshire by 3.5%, in Worcestershire by 6.4% and in Gloucestershire by 7.5% however in Herefordshire we’ve bucked the trend.

“Here we’ve actually decreased by 1.1%.

“Would the leader now concede the truth in the ancient Chinese saying to get rich, build roads first?

“And will he now accept his administration’s habit of causing delay and making U-turns has begun to damage our local economy?”

The proposed Hereford bypass and southern link road projects are currently under review. Tory councillors believe these projects are key to the future prosperity of the county.

Liberal Democrat group leader Terry James agreed that local people were receiving lower income rises than other people across the country.

“I do think there is an issue, the fact the level of salaries and income in this county is way, way below.

“We have a problem coming up in that many people from the richer and more affluent parts of the country are wishing to relocate to this county and will create problems for housing in the long term.”

Liberal Democrat group leader Terry James fears the stagnating wages may hinder local people's chances of getting on the property ladder.

Council leader David Hitchiner said the lack of growth in salaries was a long-term issue which they inherited from the previous Conservative administration.

“The concern about growth in the county is absolutely right,” he said.

“For ten years, this county has been growing slower than the rest of the country.

“Collectively we need to do something about that so it’s not about this new administration and what we are doing.

“Is building a road suddenly going to produce wealth?

“No. It’s going to take at least 10 years t do that and cost us an absolute fortune.

“We have not performed a U-turn. We are doing things differently. We are looking at climate change.

“I have no apology to make whatsover for us reviewing and looking at this again in the context of climate change.”

Council leader David Hitchiner says the lack of growth in salaries is a long-term issues which they inherited from the previous Conservative administration.