Angela Rayner discusses the approval for six councils to raise council tax beyond 4.99%, impacting over two million residents.
Bradford: Six councils, serving over two million people, can raise council tax. They received permission to exceed the usual 4.99% limit.
Bradford Council can increase taxes by 5%. Windsor and Maidenhead, along with Newham, can raise theirs by 4%.
Bradford had asked to raise taxes by up to 14.99%. Other councils in Birmingham, Somerset, and Trafford can increase by 2.5%.
Angela Rayner explained that these decisions are tough but necessary. The government aims to help councils avoid financial trouble while considering taxpayers.
She noted that only a few requests were approved, and not the full amounts. The increases are for councils with low tax levels.
Bradford Council is currently using £220 million in government loans for essential services. They will need to pay interest on these loans later.
Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford’s council leader, said they carefully considered the tax hike. They want to ensure a stable financial future.
Bradford is one of 19 councils receiving special financial support, allowing them to raise taxes without a referendum.
The government announcement will be reported to councillors in March. They will decide on Bradford’s budget then.
If approved, they plan to support low-income households in Bradford.
