Another taxing year for the borough

12.00.00am GMT Fri 10th Mar 2006

Andrew Dakers (Brentford & Isleworth), Satnam Kaur Khalsa (Feltham & Heston), and the entire Lib Dem Council Group are saying Axe the Tax - we want fair taxation in Hounslow

Hounslow Borough Council has agreed a 2.3% increase in Council Tax, which together with the Greater London Authority precept (rising by 13.3%), means a total increase of 4.4%. The total Council Tax for a Band D property will be £1379.26 per annum. Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Ray Fincher reminded the council of Lib Dems commitment to replacing council tax with local income tax, which would be fairer and more efficient.

Cllr Linda Nakamura said:

"As expected Labour has ensured that the council tax payers of Hounslow will suffer another expensive year. We have experienced 10 years of significant cuts to frontline services while at the same time enduring 10 years of above-inflation increases in council tax. No matter how important the service to the public, none have escaped Labour's deadly scythe.

"It is unclear which has been worse for residents - nine years of Labour Government or 35 years of Labour administration in Hounslow.

"It is outrageous that this tax increase of 4.4 per cent, which is more than twice the rate of inflation, will be dropping through residents' letter boxes at the same time as over-inflated energy bills.

"We are one of the highest tax authorities in London and Hounslow Labour party's claim that it is successfully managing the borough's funds does not have a shred of credibility.

"Despite Lib Dems having lobbied the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister [with other parties] for an improved grant settlement, their pleas have, as predicted, fallen of deaf ears. London just does not come into the equation as far as this government is concerned."

Related Link:

Detailed information on Hounslow Council Tax hike