A LEADING local councillor has warned the gap between Burnham and Highbridge is set to increase following yesterday's Spending Review announcements.

Chancellor George Osborne outlined plans to make additional cuts to welfare of £7billion on top of the £11billion previously announced.

There will also be a new 12-month time limit for people on employment and support allowance to find work or face benefit cut and a 10% cut in council tax benefit budget.

Other measures include a new threshold on housing benefit, a freeze on the maximum savings award in pension credit, and a new total benefits cap per family.

Town and district councillor Joe Leach believes the poorest are set to be hit the hardest.

He told the Weekly News: "Highbridge has a lot of young people and families who rely on state benefits and they will be badly affected by these cuts.

"There is a divide already between Highbridge and Burnham and I think it will get even worst.

"Older people are also going to be hit.

"Effectively, we now have younger people being told to learn how to fend for themselves, and elderly people being forced to pay more for their care."

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