Lichfield councillors have clashed over council tax rises.
A new petition has been launched by Labour councillors across the country calling for an end to “unfair” rises in bills facing households.
Cllr Dave Robertson , Labour representative for Curborough ward at Lichfield District Council, said the impact on increased council tax bills was hitting residents hard.
“The Conservative government have forced council tax up by 13% in just three years, squeezing an extra £220 a year from the average household.
“As Labour councillors we say enough is enough – the Chancellor must stop the squeeze on local families.”
Cllr Dave Robertson, Lichfield District Council
But Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, said previous Labour governments had also hiked bills for households.
“This argument might hold some water, but the three year rolling average of council tax increase under a Labour government was also 13%.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
Cllr Robertson insisted the context of the figures meant the numbers could not be compared.
“Cllr Pullen is comparing apples and oranges here.
“Living standards also grew throughout the last Labour government. That has not been the case since 2010 – the last decade was the worst since the Second World War fro the standard of living in the UK.
“This winter will also see families in the UK hit with an avoidable cut to Universal Credit, rising energy prices, inflation higher than it has been since Cllr Pullen or I started working, and a regressive National Insurance hike.
“The Government needs to ensure that councils are properly funded without the need to increase council tax, which hits the poorest hardest.”
Cllr Dave Robertson, Lichfield District Council
