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Wandsworth 94% council-tax rise prompts Kemi Badenoch legal action

politicsSep 18, 202617457

Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch has instructed lawyers to explore challenging the government after Wandsworth Council proposed a 94% council tax rise, which the borough says follows an £84 million-a-year loss in central funding. Wandsworth, a south-west London borough long among the lowest council tax rates, faces a planned £958 increase for an average Band D property that would nearly double the current just-over-£1,000 bill; half the rise is set by the council and half by the mayor of London. Badenoch told BBC Newsnight the hike was "outrageous" and accused ministers of taking money from areas that do not vote Labour and giving it to places that do. The government said it was "fixing an outdated funding system so funding goes where need is greatest." Changes to the funding formula announced last year will redistribute money between councils and Wandsworth says it will lose £84 million annually by the end of the next three years. The usual 5% cap on annual council tax rises has been lifted for Wandsworth and a handful of other councils; a final decision on the increase is expected early next year. Other London councils including Westminster, Richmond and Kensington and Chelsea are considering using the Sustainable Communities Act to challenge the funding changes as well.

East Anglia Bylines
@eastangliabylines.co.uk

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