Ed Balls MP, Labour’s Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, yesterday launched Labour's local election campaign in Lincoln, urging local residents to vote for Labour's investment in public services rather than Tory cuts.

“If you look at the Conservative plans they would actually cut back on services in Lincolnshire if they had their way,” Ed Balls said.

“I say no to those Tory cuts, keep voting Labour in the local and national elections.”

The launch highlighted how since the Conservatives took control of the city council last May, many projects within the city are facing funding cuts.

In particular the Minister, along with Lincoln MP Gillian Merron, talked to the residents about their local Neighbourhood Management Team, one of the projects where funding has been cut.

They talked about the various projects that have been delivered thanks to funding from the Neighbourhood Scheme, including coffee, lunch and craft clubs and how essential these have been to the local community.

Bernadette Pillai, a Moorland resident and centre user, hosted the event.

She said: “The funding we have received through the Moorland Neighbourhood Team has helped to deliver such vital events for lots of people in the neighbourhood. These events and clubs are a lifeline to quite a lot of people who rely on them to make friends and learn new skills. “

Before meeting the residents, the Minister was taken round the Neighbourhood centre by volunteers to see first hand the kind of events that are run there and the people that rely on them.

The Neighbourhood Management Team is just one of a range of projects that have been cut under the Conservative ruling council. Funding for PCSO’s and a new city centre toilet block has also been cut.