The BBC is reporting that three Conservative council leaders in London, including Westminster's Cllr Paul Swaddle, have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham accusing the government of "devolving blame" for steep council tax rises. The letter, also signed by the leaders of Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea, argues that a reform directing more government funding towards deprived areas has left their boroughs facing a shortfall that can only be plugged through significant council tax increases or cuts to local services, since revenue from a related council tax top-up will not be kept locally at all. "This is fiddled funding, cooked up in Whitehall but leaving town halls to carry the blame," the letter states. The government has defended the changes as correcting an outdated system that previously left wealthier areas over-supported while poorer communities lost out, insisting the reforms make funding fairer for taxpayers nationally.
London boroughs challenge PM on council tax hikes
The three council leaders said the government's funding formula "punishes low tax councils".
"If our councils do not impose council tax rises, our communities face considerable cuts in funding for local services.
"This is not just devolving blame, it is devolving council tax rises and government cuts.
"This is fiddled funding, cooked up in Whitehall but leaving town halls to carry the blame...
"These tax rises are in addition to the new top-up council tax on many homes in our councils – and none of the revenues from this tax penalty will be retained by councils or by the mayor of London.
"There is nothing local about it."
