Bad This Year. Even Worse Next Year

11.19.42am GMT Thu 26th Feb 2009

Council tax payers in West Berkshire face a huge rise in Council Tax this year, well above the current rate of inflation. But with inflation falling day by day and expected to go below zero shortly, another 3.9% on the Council Tax in the next year will come as even more of a shock.

"The Conservatives claimed they would keep Council Tax rises below the level of inflation", commented David Rendel, the Liberal Democrat Finance Spokesperson on West Berks Council. "But here they are raising Council Tax by much more than inflation this year and now planning the same increase next year, even though inflation will be far lower. Never again will the residents of West Berkshire feel able to trust the Tories on tax.

"At a time when local residents need all the help they can get, the Conservatives on the Council intend to pile on even more pressure."