Respect announcement smacks of over-centralisation - Clegg

4.49.36pm GMT Tue 23rd Jan 2007

Commenting on the Government's announcement of 40 'respect zones', Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP said:

"All councils with problems of antisocial behaviour, particularly in deprived areas, will welcome any extra cash to fund work in those communities.

"But this money should not be selectively dished out at the behest of an antisocial behaviour tsar in Downing Street. Councils should be free to raise and allocate resources to their most difficult areas.

"This announcement smacks once again of over-centralisation, where Tony Blair's office dangles financial incentives in front of councils which they are in no position to refuse."

Applicability: this item refers to England and Wales. Due to devolution, detailed policy may be different in other areas of the UK