GOVERNMENT plans to slash spending on civil defence in Lancashire could put lives at risk, according to a pressure group.

The Association of County Councils has slammed the Government's proposals to cut back on civil defence spending across the country. And the switch to unitary status in Blackburn could also have a draining effect on already stretched resources.

In Lancashire there are moves to cut the £336,000 budget by two per cent or £6,720 in 1997. County Hall will lose a further £35,000 to Blackburn when the borough goes independent.

But there will be no extra funds available for setting up the new civil defence services in Blackpool and Blackburn. And officials at Westminster have warned the final cuts could be even deeper than currently forecast.

The ACC also believes the proposed two per cent cut is much higher when inflation and pay rises are taken into account. The association has published a 'table of shame,' which lists how county councils across the country will be affected by the planned cuts. About £7.5 million has been pruned off civil defence spending in the last five years and the total now stands at £14.9 million per year.

Mick Warner, ACC chairman of fire and emergency planning, said: "The Home Office figures show scant regard for public safety and this table of shame could have serious consequences for people and property. There is no room for cuts without jeopardising public safety, the Government must think again."

The ACC is also angry that the Home Office is thinking of making the cuts even before annual budgets have been announced by town halls.

Mick Warner added: "With the privatisation of BR and other utilities, the job of coordinating emergency planning is getting more complex and time-consuming.

"Local government civil defence provides great value for money yet the Government is making it nearly impossible for us to protect the public."

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