Conservative-run Wandsworth is set to become the first and possibly only council in London to freeze council tax to support hard-pressed residents through COVID-19.
Already having the lowest average council tax in the country, Wandsworth is proving it is possible to deliver top quality services for less.
Despite Conservative Wandsworth’s tax freeze Labour is increasing tax across the country with Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan hiking tax by a record 10% and many Labour-run councils across London are set to increase tax by the maximum allowable amount. Even though Labour Leader Keir Starmer described council tax rises as ‘Absurd’.
Labour is seeking to use the pandemic as an excuse to cover up their financial mismanagement and lack of delivery in local authorities by hiking tax and blaming the Government.
Wandsworth once again is leading the way showing local authorities can freeze tax when taxpayer’s money is managed responsibly.
Cllr Ravi Govindia CBE, Leader of Wandsworth Council commented:
“We’re freezing council tax in Wandsworth to support everyone in our borough through COVID-19.
For over 40 years we have led the way in delivering quality services for less. Making Wandsworth a special borough that many take pride in calling home.
Our careful financial management over many years enabled us at this critical juncture to go further and as a caring council, support our community in its hour of need.
Freezing council tax, providing thousands of laptops and free school meals to children, continuing our weekly bin collection and delivering work match programs to help people get back into jobs.
All this, at a time when many Labour councils across London are cutting services and hiking tax – putting hard pressed families under pressure.
We have stood shoulder to shoulder with Wandsworth residents throughout this pandemic, rolling out the most comprehensive COVID-19 support package of any Council in London.
We’re delivering on our promise to Wandsworth residents to keep council tax low which for many years has stood at one of the lowest rates in the country. Almost half of what Labour-run Lambeth and Merton charge.
Financial freedom has always been at the heart of our Conservative ethos in Wandsworth, and we believe that we should take as little tax as possible to deliver the quality services Wandsworth is renowned for - giving residents the freedom to decide how to spend their hard-earned cash.”
Tax compared
Labour Merton Council
£845.44 (Wandsworth Band D Average, 2021 figure) vs £1,613.63 (Merton Band D Average, before Merton raise tax for 2021).
Labour Lambeth Council
£845.44 (Wandsworth Band D Average, 2021 figure) vs £1496.49 (Lambeth Band D Average, before Lambeth raise tax for 2021).
Labour Hammersmith & Fulham Council
£845.44 (Wandsworth Band D Average, 2021 figure) vs £1,124.49 (H&F Band D Average, before H&F raise tax for 2021).
Labour Croydon Council
£845.44 (Wandsworth Band D Average, 2021 figure) vs £1,784.10 (Croydon Band D Average, before Croydon raise tax for 2021).
