MP DAVE Watts has hit back swiftly at claims by a Lib Dem councillor that he is now keeping quiet about the unfairness of the present Council grant system.

Dave, Labour Member for St Helens North, is vice-chairman of the all-party group of MPs who have been campaigning for radical change and a fairer system over the last four years.

Dave said: "I can assure the people of St Helens that I have not changed my view on this matter and I am pleased to say that we have managed to make some changes to the present system.

"In answer to my questions in the House of Commons, the minister also assured me that the government would introduce a new funding system by 2002. The government has already commissioned a number of reports, which will form the basis for this change, and we will continue to press the government on this matter.

However I would point out that Labour Government has already introduced changes, which have increased funding by 19 per cent per head over the last two years. While the average London authorities has only increased by four per cent. During that same period the Government has reduced Westminster councils funding by over 11 per cent.

"However we are still not receiving our fair share of resources and the fight goes on until we have a system which is fair to St Helens.

"The situation is not helped by the fact that the most of the increase in grant has been ring fenced and spent on improvement of services like education, which has received a massive boost since the last election.

"Although the increases in spending are welcome it has meant that the council have not been able to use the increases to cut the level of council tax.

"I would also like to point out that people have to remember that any changes to the present system will bring winners and losers and members of Parliament like Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes believe that London should get more not less.

"As I have already said we need to make radical changes to the system and I am pleased that a recent meeting with ministers has lead to us receiving nearly a million pounds more in grant.

"I can assure the people of St Helens North that the campaign will go on until we have a system, which reflects the needs of our town".