Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says Labour councillors have left Wandsworth Council with a “historic” £137 million budget gap. She makes the claim in the context of the Conservatives taking over Wandsworth in May, after Labour had run the council for one term.
Badenoch also says the current funding position is compounded by a reduction in resources, stating that ministers cut funding to the council by 40%. The outlet frames the dispute as a question of financial stewardship by the outgoing Labour administration and the impact of central government funding changes.
The report primarily reflects the Conservative leader’s allegations; it does not include, in the provided material, Labour’s response or independent financial verification. Other details, such as the specific budget lines involved or whether the figure is disputed, are not included in the excerpted information.
