Wandsworth Council plans 94 per cent tax rise after Rayner’s cuts

Wandsworth Council is set to increase taxes by 94% for Band D residents after leaders criticized the government for cutting funding by £84 million annually. Residents will now have to pay an additional £958 in council tax next year. The council, previously known for its low council tax levels, has already made £529 in savings per Band D taxpayer to cover the funding gap.

The Conservative-run council needs to fill a spending gap of £1,434 for average households, with more than a third of the costs attributed to government funding cuts. Council leaders argue that they must balance the books through tax rises or face bankruptcy. Deputy leader Peter Graham stated that residents should not be burdened with the consequences of an unfair funding system and that the council is advocating for a fairer deal at the government level.

Labour MPs in the area, including Marsha De Cordova, Rosena Allin-Khan, and Fleur Anderson, oppose the council's request for additional funding, stating that they cannot support a narrative that blames the council for the administration's financial decisions. Communities Secretary Angela Rayner initiated a plan to revise formulas for distributing local government funding grants, moving money away from London to the North of England.