No Lib Dem Council Has Raised Council Tax – Tim Farron

Official reports have confirmed that no Liberal Democrat-run council in England has increased council tax for their residents. This is unlike both other major parties, many of which are increasing council tax by up to 3.5% this year.

Commenting on Labour and Conservative councils’ record on Council Tax, Liberal Democrat Party President, Tim Farron said:

“While Labour and the Tories fight over how many of their councils raised Council Tax, it’s clear that with the Liberal Democrats your money is safest: no Liberal Democrat-run council in England has raised Council Tax.

“Ordinary working families are struggling already with paying bills, without their councils increasing the burden.
“The choice in next month’s elections is clear: vote Liberal Democrat for financially responsible councils that create jobs. Vote Labour and the Tories for waste, mismanagement and tax rises.”

As well as freezing council tax across the country, Liberal Democrat councils are protecting front-line services, fighting to keep libraries and Sure Start centres open. This is in addition to the achievements of the Liberal Democrats in government, which after the Budget include a £130 income tax cut for all working families, the largest-ever rise in the basic state pension, an increase in child tax credits for the poorest families, and an increase in the Lib Dem Pupil Premium to £600 for every pupil receiving Free School Meals.

At every level of government, the Liberal Democrats are cutting taxes for low- and middle-earners and better targeting help to those that need it the most. It is a record of financial responsibility of which we can be proud.

Top 20 Council Tax Increases

Council; Control; Increase

Barrow; Labour; 3.50%

Babergh; No Overall Control; 3.50%

Darlington; Labour; 3.50%

Dover; Conservative; 3.50%

East Northamptonshire; Conservative; 3.50%

Gravesham; Labour; 3.50%

Huntingdonshire; Conservative; 3.50%

Leicester; Labour; 3.50%

Preston; Labour; 3.50%

Redcar & Cleveland; Labour; 3.50%

Stockton-on-Tees; Labour; 3.50%

Stoke-on-Trent; Labour; 3.50%

Gedling; Labour; 3.40%

Lichfield; Conservative; 3.40%

Luton; Labour; 3.40%

Middlesborough; Labour; 3.40%

Nottingham; Labour; 3.40%

Tunbridge Wells; Conservative; 3.30%

Cambridgeshire; Conservative; 3.00%

Richmondshire; No Overall Control; 3.00%

Source: Local Government Chronicle