We know that Cornwall gets a raw deal from Westminster. Our hospitals, schools and vital public services receive less funding than other parts of the United Kingdom – while infrastructure spending by central government is disproportionately centred on London and the South East of England.

Over the last twelve years the situation has been made much, much worse by devastating cuts to Cornwall’s public sector by Coalition and Conservative Governments. Local government has been particularly hard hit, while the NHS and associated ambulance services are struggling to cope with demand.

Cornwall previously received the highest level of structural funding form the European Union, because of low economic performance and the widespread poverty in Cornish communities.

Following Brexit, the Conservatives have repeatedly pledged that funding through the Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) would at least match the size of the European Union funds that Cornwall would have received if Brexit had not happened.

The most recent report produced by the Conservative-controlled unitary authority stated that, “in order to be no worse off,” Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly would “need to receive £700 million from the UKSPF over the coming seven years.”

But shamefully, the Government recently announced that Cornwall would have a three-year settlement worth £132 million – less than half of the anticipated £300 million.