Liberal Democrats today successfully put a motion to Redcar & Cleveland Council calling for funding to be protected when the UK leaves the European Union.

Lib Dem Leader Cllr Josh Mason proposed the motion which called on the Government to guarantee that funds are provided to the area at a level at least equal to that currently provided by the UK and the EU.

Labour and Independent councillors backed Cllr Mason, but the Tories voted against.

Councillor Josh Mason said:

“The British people voted for change last month, and change always brings some instability.

“Today we called on the Government to give us some stability by guaranteeing that the borough will not be worse off financially from Britain leaving the EU.

“It was a perfectly sensible and reasonable thing to ask for, as shown by the cross-party support I received.

“However, I am appalled that the Conservatives voted against. Don’t they want to protect money for investment in jobs and training for local people? Or were they under orders from on high?”