COUNCIL tax rises in Wales could be higher than those in England next year, Shadow Local Government Minister Alun Cairns AM claimed today.
The South Wales West AM issued the warning after a 4.2 per cent rise in central grants for English councils next year was announced at Westminster.
The Labour-Plaid Cymru Assembly Government has offered Welsh councils an average 2.9 per cent funding increase in 2009/10, though many local authorities will get less than that.
Pre Budget Report leads to cuts in Public Services
Yesterday's Pre Budget Report will cost public services in Wales between £250 and £300m by 2011 according to Alun Cairns AM.
In the Chancellor’s statement, he committed to introducing £5bn of efficiency savings across Government. As a result of the Barnet Formula, Wales will lose between £250m and £300m by 2011.
Local Government Settlement bad news for taxpayers
Commenting on the revenue settlements for local authorities,
announced, this morning by the Local Government Minister, Tory AM has condemned
the amount of funding provided and calls the settlement bad news for council
tax payers.
Local Government Minister, Brian Gibbons, this morning
outlined the amount of funding the Welsh Assembly Government will be providing
councils across Wales.
The increase in funding is well below inflation and amounts to a cut in funding
for local authorities.
