Council Funding: Labour forcing Londoners to “pay for their inaction” says London Lib Dem MP

Luke Taylor, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam and the party’s spokesperson for London, has reacted to the government’s new council funding announcement.

Responding to the news that several London councils will be given dispensation to increase Council Tax by more than the 5% allowed without a referendum in 2027-28 and 2028-29, Luke Taylor MP for Sutton and Cheam and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for London said: “Let’s not forget how we got here - councils in London have been bled dry by Conservative and Labour administrations in Westminster and town halls across the city. The black hole is now almost £1 billion.

“Working people in London already hit by inflation, the cost of living and rising transport fares are just bereft at the idea that their council tax might see huge hikes whilst their services are cut.

“No matter how Labour wants to spin this - it’s forcing Londoners to pay for their inaction and lack of courage to make tough decisions after years of Conservative neglect.

“Instead of forcing local residents to support huge increases in this unfair tax - the government could be raising the funds local government needs with a new customs union with the EU, and making the system fairer for Londoners whose properties have not been revalued for nearly 35 years”