Stephen Morgan MP today has urged voters in Portsmouth and across the country to put their trust in Labour ahead of the May local elections, as new figures reveal Labour councils charge £276 less than their Conservative counterparts.
Ahead of the May local elections, analysis of 2024/25 council tax figures has found that Tory councils tax an average of £1,771, while Labour-led local authorities cost less at an average of £1,495 per year.
The findings also reveal that those living in band D homes in Labour areas benefit from cheaper bills, with Tory councils charging £38 more.
The City MP warned that the public is “paying more and getting less” when it comes to council tax and local services.
The news comes as the scale of the Tories’ stealth council tax hikes was exposed earlier this week. Three changes to council tax rules railroaded by the Tories are set to leave the average households £300 worse off each year.
In a further blow to working families, the Tory tax changes means that as of next month the hike will leave them £140 poorer than they were just four years ago.
It comes against a backdrop of 14 years of economic failure from the Conservatives, who have overseen falling living standards, rising food prices, and rocketing mortgages.
The Labour Party is fighting local elections on the economy by offering long-term change to deliver more jobs, more investment, and to cut people’s bills.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“People in Portsmouth and across the country are already suffering with the highest tax burden in a generation and are now set to become £300 worse off this each year as a result of Tories’ stealth council tax hikes.
“Meanwhile, public services are crumbling and living standards are dwindling. Under a Conservative government, working people and families in our city are simply paying more and getting less.
“Portsmouth people have the opportunity to send the Tories a message in the May local elections: that families here are ready for change and cannot afford another 5 years of this Government.”
Angela Rayner MP, Labour’s Deputy Leader and Shadow Communities Secretary, said:
“Working people continue to be punished by 14 years of Tory economic failure through soaring food prices and rocketing mortgages. Any blame for a rise in council tax lies squarely with the Conservative government.
“The proof is in the pudding – even in the face of Tory economic mismanagement nationally, Labour leaves the public with more pounds in their pocket.
“While Rishi Sunak runs scared from a general election, the local elections give communities the chance to send him a message: the Tories’ time is up. A vote for Labour on 2 May offers communities a chance for change.”
