FURTHER evidence that Hatfield gets short-changed by the Government has emerged, say Liberal Democrats. According to the party s Welwyn Hatfield branch, a formula used by ministers to measure deprivation has a serious flaw. The formula, known as the Ind

FURTHER evidence that Hatfield gets short-changed by the Government has emerged, say Liberal Democrats.

According to the party's Welwyn Hatfield branch, a formula used by ministers to measure deprivation has a "serious" flaw.

The formula, known as the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), takes into account a number of factors to decide how deprived an area is.

These factors include health, education and income - and it is the latter which is causing the Lib Dems concern.

A statement sent to the WHT said: "Income is difficult to measure directly, so the Government uses the percentage of residents who claim certain benefits, such as Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance.

"The problem is, students are not allowed to claim any of these.

"What that means is in places with lots of students, deprivation doesn't look as bad as it is.

"Hatfield has lots of students who can't claim the benefits and so our area appears better-off than it really is.

"The Government puts lots of money into deprived areas, but Hatfield doesn't qualify.

"We are now asking by how much Hatfield has been short-changed?"

Nigel Quinton, the local party's chairman, said: "Hatfield residents already know our area gets short-changed all the time.

"We now think we have found out why.

"We will be asking the council and the university to look into the issue so that Hatfield can finally get what it is owed."

No-one from the Government was available for comment.