Hounslow's Labour-led Council once again stun residents with 7% increase in Council Tax

12.00.00am GMT Tue 9th Mar 2004

Hounslow's Labour-led Council has once again stunned residents by announcing a 7% increase in Council Tax, three times the rate of inflation. This is one of the highest increases in London but it has been another year of diminishing Council services such as the closure of residential homes for the elderly and the proposed closure of two schools in the West area.

Cllr Ray Fincher, speaking on behalf of Hounslow Liberal Democrats said,

"There is still no sign of the misery of the Council Tax being abolished as the average B and D Council Tax hits £1,262.

In a knee-jerk reaction to the Council Tax protests by thousands of people around the country, the Labour Government has attempted to buy off the electorate by an injection of money at the last minute. Unfortunately, this will never compensate for the eternal march in Labour's local government bureaucracy that consumes a larger slice of people's earnings each year.

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone's GLA precept of 7.5% has also added to the burden shouldered by local taxpayers. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's insistence on moving our money from London to the Labour heartlands in the north of England is creating hardship and resentment among the electorate.

Widespread threats that local authorities that breach the 5% guidelines will be capped, have, as yet, proved to be without foundation. Who can Hounslow's Labour Party blame now for lack of funding? Every year it is always someone else's fault but after thirty-four years of Labour rule, Hounslow has £250 million pounds worth of debt, declining services and one of the highest levels of Council Tax in London"