The Liberal Democrats have criticised Labour after Haringey Labour voted for a fourth successive year of inflation-busting increases in Council Tax.

Haringey’s Council Tax bills will increase 5% this year. The Government’s preferred measure of inflation, the Consumer Price Index, puts inflation at around 1.6% – only a third of Labour Haringey’s Council Tax increase.

At the last local elections in 2002, the Labour party told Haringey residents that the “days of large increases in Council Tax are over”. Despite this election promise, the tax on an average Band D home in the borough has risen by 37.7%.

Commenting on the budget debate, Lib Dem Finance spokesperson, Cllr Stephen Gilbert (Fortis Green), said:

“A rise of this level is totally unacceptable. At the heart of this is a very simple question: we are paying 38% more, but have services improved? I think most people would give a simple answer: no.

“It’s clear that Labour can’t be trusted on tax, and is unable or unwilling to deliver value-for-money services. We need a complete review of how Haringey spends taxpayers’ money, particularly looking at the cost of consultants and temporary staff.

“Only a complete rethink, with a local income tax, would give residents an equitable and stable system with manageable levels of local taxation.”

Note:

For more about the Lib Dem alternative to Council Tax – replacing it with a tax based on ability to pay – see www.axethetax.org.uk