Sheffield libraries row: government may intervene over volunteer takeover

MP David Blunkett says it would be breathtaking cheek for government to launch inquiry over move prompted by cuts

The government has threatened to hold a local public inquiry into Sheffield city councils decision to hand over the keys to half of the citys libraries to community volunteers following funding cuts. Local MP David Blunkett said it would be breathtaking cheek for the government to intervene.

The culture minister, Ed Vaizey, recently wrote to the authority to request information on how it was implementing £1.6m of cuts to its libraries, to make sure it had met its legal obligation to provide a comprehensive and efficient service.

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