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PARTY leaders clashed at First Minister’s Questions today over council tax increases in Wales.
“There is a problem on Labour’s watch: these big council tax increases,” said Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar.
“Despite you popping champagne corks about the local government settlement this year, local council tax increases for band D properties are 7.2 per cent higher in 2025-26 compared [with] 5 per cent higher in England.”
First Minister Eluned Morgan hit back and said: “There’s a relationship between taxation and what you get, and in Wales, you get a lot more in certain areas than you do in England.”
Ms Morgan said that in Wales there is a £100-per-week cap on how much authorities can charge for social care, whereas no such cap exists in England.
“I’m a socialist, and I believe in that relationship between public services and taxation,” Ms Morgan said.
Mr Millar said one reason why council tax rises have been lower in England is because residents must agree to excessive increases in a local referendum.
“Why are you afraid of giving the public a greater say on their council tax levels?” Mr Millar asked.
The FM said the May council elections in England will be a test: “We are looking forward to seeing how well you do in those elections,” she rejoindered.
