CUTS to the borough’s youth services have been blasted as reckless by the council’s Labour group.

More than £2million of cuts to services including careers advice, drama and music groups were outlined earlier this year.

And a report discussed at a council meeting last night outlines the full impact of the savings measures.

Deputy Leader of the borough’s Labour group, Wes Streeting, slammed the cuts.

He said: “It is now clear that young people are being clobbered by the Tories’ cuts, putting their opportunities and future prospects at risk.”

And he added: “Front loaded cuts by the Tory council’s friends in Westminster have left Redbridge in a difficult financial position, but we should ask if it is right or fair that young people should be hit in this way.”

But the council’s cabinet minister for children’s services, Alan Weinberg, defended the cuts.

He said: “All cabinet members have been asked to make savings and that’s what we are doing.

“Our percentage saving is not out of step with any other cabinet member’s saving.

“I’m not closing the music or drama services, I’m not closing any children’s centres.”

Mr Weinberg pointed to the fact that children entitled to free school meals will still receive free music lessons through the borough’s music service as proof that the council is looking out for Redbridge’s neediest children.

But Tom Nelson, 19, who campaigned against the £230,000 worth of cuts to the music service, said he feared for its future.

Mr Nelson from Leicester Road in Wanstead, is in his first year at Exeter University, and learnt to play the French Horn with the borough’s music service.

He said: “I’m grateful that the council made the concession to provide children on free school meals with music lessons.

“But I think there must be huge doubts over the future of the music service.

“That’s a great shame for future generations who won’t benefit from the same opportunities that I did.”

And his concerns were echoed by Pankaj Pathak, a member of Friends of Redbridge Drama Centre (FDC).

Mr Pathak says the Drama Centre can cope with the £25,000 cut made to its budget this year, but is concerned that future savings outlined by the council will be lethal.

He explained: “We can live with the £25,000 cut, but the council wants to cut £186,000 the year after that and £292,000 the year after that.

“That will push us over the cliff and out of existence.

“I would like Councillor Weinberg to explain to us how he thinks he can make these cuts and still keep the Drama Centre open.”

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