£100m: The cost of Labour’s council tax ‘madness’
Welsh Conservatives have branded Labour’s decisions on council tax hikes ‘madness’, as new figures confirm the extent of bill rises in Wales.
Top public service accountants have published statistics showing an average four per cent council tax hike for the average Band D household in Wales, equivalent to 52 pounds.
By contrast, English council tax will increase by an average of one per cent, equivalent to 16 pounds.
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy concluded the cost of Welsh rises would hit 100 million pounds.
In a statement published here, www.publicfinance.co.uk/news/2015/03/welsh-council-tax-bills-to-increase-by-4/ Head of CIPFA Wales Chris Tidswell said: “Many households in Wales are struggling to manage their budgets so an increase above the rate of RPI inflation will not be welcome.”
Conservatives in government have provided money for council tax to be frozen in England since 2010. Labour in government have refused to do the same in Wales.
Additionally, in England, a referendum is required to endorse any increase above two per cent. In Labour-run Wales, no similar scheme has been introduced.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:
“The vast differences between England and Wales are there in horrific black and white.
“Labour’s approach to council tax hikes is pure madness and these figures are yet more proof of the effects of their stubborn refusal to implement a freeze.
“Welsh communities are being hit far harder than their English counterparts and the failure of Labour ministers to deal with that is a disgrace.
“Yes, Labour’s tough and challenging council budget settlement has piled on the pressure. No, that shouldn’t be taken out on the finances of every house in the country.
“For over 15 years Labour ministers in Wales have reigned over vastly inflated council chief exec salaries and a local authority culture that even they now admit needs changing.
“It is Labour’s mismanagement that has led to Wales’ council tax chaos and it is their First Minister who should admit past failures, put them right, and – like Conservatives in England – introduce a council tax freeze.”
ENDS