“We are very concerned that the Liberal Democrat/Independent administration that runs Cornwall Council has again chosen to politicise elements of the millions of pounds of support the Government has given Cornwall.”

“Firstly they have written to the Government demanding more money to support businesses in Cornwall, but then they have made this public by replying to all of the businesses that have claimed support through the current lockdown, essentially blaming the Government for their own poor handling of their funds.”

“Once again this is a discretionary fund that Cornwall Council has complete control over the administration of.”

“Last year, Cornwall Council allowed businesses to apply for large amounts of money from a set budget for a discretionary fund, even though they could have made the budget they had go further by giving smaller grants. They then blamed the Government when they ran out of money.”

“And this year they have done the same, telling businesses they can apply for up to £10,000 and now radically revising this after they have received the applications.”

“Given their experience last year, you would have thought they would have learned to manage expectations of the businesses they are supposed to be supporting better.”

“But instead they have again done the sums wrong and run out of money. And instead of apologising and admitting their error, they are trying to publicly blame the Government, which has already provided more than £500million of additional funding to Cornwall to support our Duchy through the pandemic.”

“With local elections confirmed for May this is nothing more than shameless and brazen political gamesmanship from the Lib Dems and their Independent friends who run the council. The people and businesses of Cornwall are not stupid and they deserve better.”

Linda Taylor  - Group Leader Conservative Group on Cornwall Council

Sheryll Murray MP

Steve Double MP

Cherilyn Mackrory MP

Derek Thomas MP