Government's relentless curb on their contribution to local councils' budget year after year has played havoc with councils' finances with care sector close to collapse, forcing founcils to consider six percent rise in founcil tax, the maximum increase permitted by the government, after realising that councils' cut back on essential services is detrimental for the well being of the local residents.
Community Secretary Sajid Javid made this announcement last December, permitting councils to impose this extra burden on home owners after realising the struggle councils were undergoing to provide essential services but government unable and unwilling to help with the finances, out of political dogma rather than any other valid reason. This increase along with rise in garden waste, parking charges, meals on wheels, as well as every service councils provide, accompanied with sharp cuts in libraries, park and recreation and road maintenance budgets will affect lives of every citizen irrespective of their age, gender, interest or affiliation.
People who will be most affected are in Band D and E whose rates burden will go up to £1,700 to £2,075. This along with ever rising energy bills will indeed put intolerable burden on home owners, especially senior citizens who are on fixed income and already struggling to make the ends meet. This is due to Government's reluctance to increase income tax, especially at the upper end which could be fair, the burden falling on those who are able to pay without lowering their living standard.
With local elections of the horizon, PM has indeed chosen a wrong time to inflict this pain on the elderly who are most likely to vote. No one should be surprised if Conservatives are hammered in May, especially in London, losing councils like Barnet, Bromley, Wandsworth and few more, painting London red. These will be self inflicted wounds hardworking local Tories do not deserve.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
Gibraltar
