Tories consult senior barrister over ‘outrageous’ Wandsworth tax hike
Kemi Badenoch has said the Conservative party has consulted a senior barrister to challenge the government over local funding cuts, following the recent controversy over looming tax hikes at Wandsworth Council. Wandsworth Council, which is Tory-run, has recently announced that taxes will rise by 94 per cent for ‘band D’ residents, resulting in taxpayers having [...]
The Conservative Party has sought advice from a senior barrister to contest local funding cuts, following the controversy surrounding proposed tax hikes in Wandsworth Council. The council, which is governed by the Conservatives, announced that taxes for residents in the 'band D' category will rise by 94%, resulting in an additional £958 for taxpayers starting next year. The council will make the final decision on the proposed hike early next year.
Local leaders have criticized the government for needing to make this move, as it is projected to lose £84 million annually due to recent changes in the council funding formula. The council reported needing to fill a £1,434 spending gap for average households, with more than a third attributed to government funding cuts, while the remainder is due to inflation and inherited plans from the previous Labour administration.
Kemi Badenoch, a senior Conservative, expressed her concern over the proposed 94% hike, calling it "outrageous" but emphasizing that her fellow councillors are not implementing the increase out of desire, but as a response to the cuts. She stated that the Party has instructed lawyers to explore the possibility of blocking the funding cut. City AM reports that the Tories are currently consulting Lord Wolfson KC, a King’s Counsel, to assess the case's viability.
Written by urgent.news from City AM's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
