MPs have lobbied new local government minister Rishi Sunak to help resolve Halton Council’s funding crisis.

The local authority has been forced to make cuts of £63 million after losing 61 per cent of its budget since 2010.

In the next three years it faces more cuts of around £22.5 million.

Halton MP Derek Twigg and Weaver Vale Mike pressed Mr Sunak in Westminster on Tuesday for extra funding for the borough.

MPs told him that Halton faced particular pressures as a small council serving one of the most socially deprived areas in the country, with additional health challenges.

Mr Twigg said: “We stressed to the minister the impact of these huge cuts the council was being forced to make and the massive pressures on children’s services and adult social care budgets which are putting these services under tremendous stress.

“We asked him to take account of the special circumstances facing the council when deciding future local government financial settlements and urged him to ensure better funding.”

MPs said they found the meeting very useful as the minister listened carefully to the key points they made.

The minister confirmed that despite the recent exchanges in the Commons between the two MPs and the Secretary of State, that raised fears over the future of Halton Council, the Government had no plans to force the restructuring of local councils.

Mr Amesbury added: “Government cuts have hit places like Halton hard, putting vital services under threat, and meaning many vulnerable people struggle to access the support they need.

“The Government needs to urgently provide fair funding from the Treasury to councils like Halton instead of continually shifting responsibility onto council taxpayers.

“They also need to give local government workers the pay rise they deserve and desperately need.

“It’s welcome that the minister met us to discuss the issue but residents, councils, and staff will judge him on actions not words.”