Conservative Council Tax boast "simply untrue" - LibDems
March 28, 2007 3:05 PM
Tory claim is "simply untrue"
Research by local Liberal Democrats has revealed that the boast by Westminster Conservatives that their Council Tax rise is "among the lowest in the country" is untrue.
In the latest edition of the taxpayer-funded Council magazine, Westminster Reporter, the Conservatives boast on the cover and inside that the percentage rise in their Council Tax is among the lowest in the country.
LibDem analysis of official government statistics published on 27 March however reveals that Westminster actually increased Council Tax by more than 33 other local authorities in England, and no better than five others that also posted the same rise.
If you add in the Mayor of London's tax rise too, and then compare that with all the other local authorities, which also have bits and pieces added to their bills by parish councils and the like, then Westminster finishes 20th in England.
Mark Blackburn, the Liberal Democrat candidate in Westminster's Abbey Road by-election on Thursday 3rd May, said:
"The Tories' boast that their Council Tax rise is 'among the lowest in the country' is simply untrue. The facts show that almost three dozen councils in England posted a lower rise in their tax bills this year.
"In London alone Westminster came 10th and if you just take those councils in inner London then Westminster came 6th out of 13.
"If only they would put a wind turbine next to their Press Office then the amount of spin created could power the whole of London!"
The Abbey Road by-election will take place on Thursday 3rd May and will elect one councillor. Currently 47 Conservatives sit on Westminster City Council, with 12 opposition councillors.
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