Government hits back as Telegraph accuse Angela Rayner of funding anti-right wing training at Sheffield council
“Councils are not permitted to use taxpayers’ money to fund partisan issues or party-political activity”
The Government have denied claims made by The Telegraph that funding for councils was being used to lead anti-right wing lectures.
In a report on Tuesday, October 13, The Telegraph clamed that as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner spent a £15 million “community cohesion” fund in 2024 on “left wing propaganda” within councils across the country.
According to the report, the training was delivered by the Ella Baker School of Organising, a network they say was founded by former members of the group Hope Not Hate, which was reported to the Electoral Commission in June over alleged campaigning for Labour in the Makerfield by-election.
The Telegraph reported: “Training delivered in targeted areas across England offered guidance on preventing ‘working class communities’ from leaning to the right, specifically by countering ‘racist narratives’ about immigration.”
The national paper claims the funding was offered in response to the riots of 2024, with training taking place in a number of locations including Birmingham, Blackpool and Sheffield.
However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have responded with a statement that says “this is not correct.”
The Government department has said that the money was provided to councils so they could respond to local needs in communities affected by violent disorder.
They go on to say that each local council chose how the funds were spent, but that public money cannot be used for party-political activity.
However, they did admit that Birmingham City Council and Blackpool Council chose to award £13,000 and £9,000 respectively to the Ella Baker School of Organising to deliver community training.
An MHCLG spokesperson said: “Councils are not permitted to use taxpayers’ money to fund partisan issues or party-political activity.
“Councils must make sure money is spent in line with their responsibilities, and we have powers in place to recoup money if it is found to have been mis-spent.”