Council tax freeze? Yes please, says Bridget

1.36.00pm GMT Fri 20th Feb 2009

Islington Lib Dems: backing a council tax freeze

Lib Dem Parliamentary Campaigner Bridget Fox has thrown her weight behind the Lib Dem plans for a zero increase in council tax this year, in a plea to councillors to listen to local people who are feeling the pinch.

Next week Islington Council has to decide on its budget: the Lib Dem group is proposing a council tax freeze, the Labour group a 2.5% rise to pay for universal free school meals.

Bridget is backing the Council Tax freeze

Bridget says:

"Council tax is a desperately unfair tax. It does not relate to your ability to pay. I have always supported the Lib Dem national policy to abolish council tax and to do our bit to keep council tax below the national average locally. So if a freeze is possible, it's the right thing to do.

"As a school governor I am 100% behind free school meals for those that need them. But I am sceptical about the benefit of free school meals for all. This scheme is the worst kind of redistribution: from the poor to the rich, Robin Hood in reverse. Why should the woman who works as a cleaner find her council tax going up to provide a free lunch for her employer's children?

"I've been asking people all over Islington South & Finsbury about the council tax rise: would they prefer a freeze, or an increase to be spent on providing free school meals for all children? Overwhelmingly people prefer the freeze.

"Putting up the council tax now will be hitting people when they are down - and I hope that councillors of all parties would not want to do that."

You can sign the petition for a council tax freeze here: http://ourcampaign.org.uk/dontraiseourcounciltax