Bad News for Councils, Worse for London, Disastrous for Kingston!

07.12.07

Local MP Slams Labour Government for forcing Council Tax increases and Service Cuts

Following the announcement on Thursday 6th December, of the central Government grant for the next 3 years for Kingston Council, local MP, Edward Davey, has described the situation for Kingston as "disastrous" and "the worst since the Conservative cuts of the early 1990s".

In announcing their proposals for grants to local councils across England, Labour Ministers have given much larger increases to councils in the Midlands and North, and to Labour-controlled areas in general. Kingston is hit particularly hard as it has got the second worst deal within London - when London as a whole has received the worst deal in the country. Whilst a London Borough like Kensington and Chelsea already receives far more grant per resident than Kingston, it will receive an extra £5.4 million over the next 3 years, whilst Kingston will receive less than £1.8 million.

Edward Davey MP said:

“Labour’s funding for Kingston Council goes from bad to worse, and that's bad news for council tax payers and anyone who depends on council services - whether they are old or young.

"Labour has failed to listen to the people of Kingston and our Fair Deal Campaign. This settlement is as bad as the Conservative cuts Kingston faced during the 1990s.

“Council tax is Gordon Brown's stealth tax, and by giving Kingston one of the worst deals in the country, Labour is effectively imposing a double whammy of high council tax and service cut backs.

"Gordon Brown's Christmas present to Kingston is three years of service cuts topped off with three years' more high council tax.

"I will be seeking a meeting with the Minister and hope that this time we can get all-party support to oppose this disastrous settlement."