David Cameron ‘facing major rebellion’ over council cuts

David Cameron is facing his first major rebellion of 2016 as angry Tories threaten to oppose swingeing funding cuts for councils.

One potential rebel told the Standard there are a “significant number” of Conservative MPs prepared for a fight.

Graham Stuart MP also warned ministers it was important to improve their offer when the Government “has a majority of 12”.

The row centres on a historic funding gap between urban and rural councils, with rural areas represented by dozens of Tory MPs arguing they are not treated fairly.

The new settlement to be voted on in February will make the situation substantially worse, the MPs claim.

Beverley and Holderness MP Mr Stuart added: “There are a significant number of colleagues who are unhappy with the current proposal.

"I wouldn’t want to put a number on it, but it’s significant. With a majority of 12 it’s important to come up with something that works for everybody.”

Local government minister Marcus Jones told MPs the rural-urban funding gap has fallen since 2012 and would fall further by the end of the Parliament under the proposals.