Nadhim Zahawi addresses Council Leader's claims that Rutland is 'ignored' by Government
The Education Secretary was in Oakham today visiting Harington School
Last updated 6th May 2022
Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi was in Oakham today, shortly after former Tory council leader Oliver Hemsley announced he'd become independent from the party.
Mr Zahawi was visiting Harington School and Catmose College where he gave a brief speech to students and toured the facilities.
Speaking exclusively to Greatest Hits Radio, he referred to the 'role model' status of Harington and Catmose, and responded to comments that the Government was "ignoring" Rutland:
A Conservative loss with no election?
Local elections spelled a difficult period for the Conservatives, who lost a number of councils, with Labour making gains in London.
Despite there being no local election for Rutland County Council, aside from the Uppingham ward, leader Oliver Hemsley decided to leave "the Conservative Group effective immediately", but will retain his role for the remainder of his four years in office.
"The position we find ourselves in over Council Tax has been years in the making we had inequalities that have been compounded year on year and even though Government has been asked to look at this we have been ignored, side-lined and given no further improvements in our spending power", Mr Hemsley said.
"There are one off fundings that appear and often are heralded as additional funding but is ringfenced, re purposed, or borrowed from another budget, this is not nor can be a solution for the long term, I hope that by having no allegiance to any party I can be blunt about the unacceptable position and hopefully get an answer to the question that I have been asked by residents: “Why is our Council Tax so High?”.