February 8, 2001 16:53: THE Government is expected to be tackled head-on about the lack of money for social services in the Chilterns.

County council leader David Shakespeare said it had been throwing money at education but had taken its eye off the social services ball.

He will be taking the matter up at national level through the South East England Regional Assembly, of which he is chairman, and via the Local Government Association.

Cllr Pam Bacon (Con, Chalfont St Peter West), added the Government did not seem to realise that Buckinghamshire was not all rich.

She said there were areas of deprivation in Chesham, High Wycombe and Aylesbury, where children needed special care and there were lots of problems.

Cllr Hugh Carey, the member responsible for adult care in the county, called for a meeting with health minister John Hutton.

Cllr Carey wants to know why the county is bottom of the league table for the amount the Government is prepared to fund the service and why London boroughs get five to six times more per head.

The county council spends 20.6 per cent or £4.6 million more on social services than the Government says it should, which has to come from the taxpayer.