Leicester East MP, Shivani Raja, is joining residents in challenging Labour-run Leicester City Council’s decision to cut funding to vital community assets. Ms Raja asked that the House of Commons join local Leicester residents in standing against the proposed closures of museums, funding cuts from community centres and libraries across Leicester, in her Early Day Motion titled ‘Museums, Libraries and community centres in Leicester and the UK’. In doing so, Ms Raja also calls for Leicester City Council and councils nationwide to prioritise funding for vital public spaces, instead reviewing cost reductions in senior management and administrative costs to make savings.
Ms Raja tabled the motion, calling for a debate in the House of Commons to push for the recognition of the damaging impact that funding cuts and closures for community centres, libraries and museums would have in Ms Raja’s constituency of Leicester East, and citywide. This EDM has already gained cross-party support, with Independent Leicester South MP, Shockat Adam, and DUP MP, Jim Shannon, signing the motion.
The tabling of this EDM follows the announcement from Leicester City Council last month, that they were launching a consultation on proposals to cut library and community centre services, which they say will cut more than £2 million in spending. According to proposals, 11 facilities across Leicester would no longer be run by the council, instead being put up for Community Asset Transfer, while Fosse Neighbourhood Centre and St Matthews Centre would be closed, and St Matthews’ Library would be re-located nearby.
Emphasising the importance of local community centres and libraries, Conservative Councillor for Belgrave, Cllr Yogesh Chauhan stated;
Our community centres and libraries are a lifeline for so many across Leicester. They’re where children learn, older residents find friendship, and local groups come together.
Labour’s political decision to keep these essential services under threat is deeply disappointing. These are the very spaces we should be protecting rather than putting on the chopping block. Conservatives are proud to stand with residents and campaigners to fight these cuts and defend the community hubs our city depends on.
In response to the consultation, a series of protests have taken place across the city, including outside Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rushey Mead Library, and Leicester Town Hall, with residents of all ages, in addition to Conservative Councillors, gathering to speak out against the proposals.
Speaking on the proposals by Leicester City Council, Ms Raja stated;
These proposals are simply unacceptable, and cannot go ahead. The importance of services provided by these vital community spaces cannot be overstated – they offer a lifeline to those who may feel isolated, provide education and a safe space to residents of all ages, and play a crucial role in strengthening community ties across our city.
To remove Council funding and management of libraries and community centres would remove the stability and accountability of these services, which provide support to thousands across our city, limiting accessibility and impacting the staff who make all the difference.
Local residents have my full support on this, and I will continue to work with our fantastic Conservative councillors to fight these proposals.
The consultation runs for 12 weeks, closing on 29 June 2025.
