Welsh Conservatives have renewed calls for the Welsh Government to implement a council tax freeze.
Across the border, additional funding has provided English local authorities with the opportunity to keep council tax at its current level. Following the Welsh Government’s differing decision, only four councils here will implement a freeze and increases elsewhere will vary between one and 4.5 per cent.
38.9 million pounds was passed to Wales from the UK Government to fund the implementation of a Welsh freeze. It was not used for this purpose.
A motion tabled for debate by the Welsh Conservative group expressed regret and disappointment that Welsh households have been denied assistance with daily living costs.
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, said:
“English householders will benefit from a council tax freeze in the coming financial year.
Scottish householders will benefit from a council tax freeze in the coming financial year.
For Welsh householders meanwhile, it’s the same old Labour hikes.
“Since 1997 council tax has increased by almost 140 per cent in Wales. The dark days of Labour’s last disastrous re-banding are still fresh in the minds of thousands. The poorest were hit hardest back then and now Labour’s at it again.
“Whatever the increase in each area affected, it’s too much. There should have been funding made available for a freeze and anything less is unfair and unnecessary.
“This ruling places another big squeeze on the incomes of hard-pressed families and pensioners and it’s a direct result of the Welsh Labour government’s skewed decision-making.
“During tough economic times it beggars belief that Welsh households have been denied invaluable assistance with daily living costs. Instead, the money has been spent on fresh attempts from Labour to be seen to be acting on the economy.
“Welsh Conservatives believe this money would be far more beneficial in the pockets of householders the length and breadth of Wales.”