Labour’s claim that Welsh residents pay less in council taxes has been slammed today, with Welsh Conservatives describing it as “disgraceful” spin.

Official statistics reveal a huge gap between the average weekly wages of workers in Wales and England – with Welsh workers receiving (on average) around £4,500 a year less than their English counterparts.

The gap arises as a result of a (mean) average £86 a week shortfall in weekly wages in Wales vs those in England.

It means that Welsh families pay a substantially higher proportion of their earnings on bills, such as council tax.

Shadow Local Government Secretary, Janet Finch-Saunders, said:

“This is shameless spin and the public won’t swallow it.  

“The average Welsh worker gets paid around £4,500 a year less than in England, so Labour’s claims to have lowered council tax bills is disgraceful.

“Across Wales, the average Band D property has faced cumulative council tax hikes of around £627 since 2012 – and in Aberconwy, they have faced hikes of some 230% since devolution in 1997! Residents know that it is only a Conservative council that will fight for fairer council tax bills.”

Notes to Editors:

All statistics referred to are located on StatsWales. Figures for weekly wages, here: https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Business-Economy-and-Labour-Market/People-and-Work/Earnings/averageweeklyearnings-by-ukcountryenglishregion-year

Meanwhile, the gap between average council tax bills in England and Wales is found here: http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/council-tax-levels/?lang=cy