The closure of leisure centres in Gateshead would leave the “heart ripped out” of communities, Labour’s shadow health secretary has said.
Wes Streeting blamed the Government for the potential shutting of Gateshead Leisure Centre and Birtley Swimming Centre, both of which are under threat from council budget cuts. Mr Streeting, who visited the North East this weekend, claimed that spending cuts forced on local authorities since 2010 had “ripped away” the social fabric of deprived communities in the region.
However, the Ilford North MP did not specify what a Labour administration would do to help cash-strapped councils avoid closing down beloved community hubs.
