Senedd Debate: Freeze Council Tax

Welsh Conservatives will tomorrow lead a Senedd debate calling for Welsh Labour ministers to freeze council tax.

Labour in Wales has refused to follow the UK Government’s example in implementing a freeze, which England has enjoyed since 2010.

If Labour ministers had done so, the average Band D council tax household would be £149.31 a year better off.

Instead, in Wales, council tax continues to rocket. Between 1997/98 and 2014/15, there has been a 158 per cent increase in the average ‘D’ home, from £495 to £1,276.

Wales has received additional money, in the form of Barnett consequentials, following the Conservative-led UK Government’s English freeze. Labour can choose how to spend this. It has not chosen to fund a council tax freeze.

During tomorrow’s debate, Welsh Conservatives will also highlight the huge amounts of council tax that go uncollected in Wales.

In 2013/14, over 83 million pounds went unpaid; money that could also be used for a council tax freeze.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:

“Compared to England, Welsh homeowners are still getting a raw deal.

“Under Labour, council tax has rocketed by over 150 per cent and without firm action, it will rise still further.

“Wales annually faces some of the UK’s highest hikes, while Labour ministers simply sit on their hands.

“Hardworking families deserve a break and – following years of above inflation rises - a council tax freeze could provide that.

“As the low tax party of Wales, Welsh Conservatives firmly believe that money is better off in people’s pockets – not in government coffers.”