Conservative MPs have refused to back Labour’s plan to drop the Government’s council tax rise after Labour MPs forced, and won, a vote in the House of Commons on Government plans to make families pay for the hole left by Covid in the Council’s budget.

The Commons backed the motion to scrap the Council Tax hike – yet Ministers have refused to drop their plan to raise local taxes in the depths of the worst recession in 300 years.

The vote follows an appeal from Labour leader Keir Starmer to stop the council tax rise and provide certainty to millions of struggling families who face additional blows to their household incomes from frozen pay and a cut to Universal Credit.

Calderdale Labour leader Cllr Tim Swift said:

“Why is it that the Conservatives can find billions in public funds for failed contracts with their mates, but when it comes to Calderdale the cupboard is bare and local people have to pay more? They are forcing council tax bills up instead of funding councils properly.

 “Higher bills will hit families in Calderdale just at the very time millions are worried about the future of their jobs and how they will get through the next few months. This Government should not be making families pay for their mishandling of the covid crisis and their broken promises to support councils.”

 “The Prime Minister must listen to the will of the House of Commons – live up to his promise and not force councils to raise council tax to protect vital services during this crisis.”

The Labour motion approved by the House of Commons reads:-

That this House calls on the Prime Minister to drop the Government’s plans to force local councils to increase council tax in the middle of a pandemic by providing councils with funding to meet the Government’s promise to do whatever is necessary to support councils in the fight against Covid-19.

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