Calderdale leader renews attack on Tories over Council Tax rises

Coun Tim Swift (Lab, Town) said Conservative MPs refused to back Labour’s plan after Labour MPs forced, and won, a vote in the House of Commons on Government plans to make families pay for the hole left by COVID-19 in council budgets.

This was because it meant council’s having levy a Council Tax rate of around five per cent (three per cent of which is ring fenced for social care).

Coun Swift said the vote followed an appeal from Labour leader Keir Starmer to stop the council tax rise and provide certainty to millions of struggling families who face additional blows to their household incomes from frozen pay and a cut to Universal Credit.

Coun Swift was also critical of some contracts given by the Government to companies where links with the Conservative Party or personally have neen alleged.

“Why is it that the Conservatives can find billions in public funds for failed contracts with their mates, but when it comes to Calderdale the cupboard is bare and local people have to pay more? They are forcing council tax bills up instead of funding councils properly?

“Higher bills will hit families in Calderdale just at the very time millions are worried about the future of their jobs and how they will get through the next few months.

“This Government should not be making families pay for their mishandling of the covid crisis and their broken promises to support councils.

“The Prime Minister must listen to the will of the House of Commons – live up to his promise and not force councils to raise council tax to protect vital services during this crisis,” he said.

Calderdale Council will set its budget on February 22.