Local government leaders have hit out at government plans to sell off assets, claiming now was not a good time to sell. Earlier this week, PM Gordon Brown announced he planned to sell government-owned assets, including the Tote bookmaker, the Dartford river crossing, the Channel Tunnel rail link, and the student loan book, in a bid to raise £3bn. The remainder would have to come from ‘encouraging' local government to sell assets such as playing fields, civic buildings, libraries, business parks, council estates and even airports. However, LGA leader, Margaret Eaton, criticised the Government for making the announcement without consulting councils, as the policy would have ‘serious ramifications for the state of their tightly-managed budgets'. ‘Local government will dispose of assets if they are not required but, given the current financial climate, this is not a good time to sell,' she added. Cllr Eaton's comments appear to have fallen on deaf ears at the CLG. A spokesman for the department said: ‘Every part of government has a responsibility to do its part to make savings and cut the national debt – and that includes local government. ‘Local authorities will remain in control of their assets and decisions on what to sell off will be taken in consultation with communities, as is the normal practice.' Birmingham City Council rejected the call last night for it to consider selling its shares in Birmingham International Airport. Chief executive, Stephen Hughes, said: ‘All assets owned by the city council are managed for the long-term good of the city and its people, and government cannot dictate to us how we manage them.' But Cabinet Office minister, Liam Byrne, said councils would be allowed to use receipts to ‘reinvest in priorities such as affordable housing and schools'.
