Keir Starmer promised a ‘relentless’ focus on improving lives today, accusing the Tories of making Brits pick up the bill for their crashed economy.
Writing for the Sunday Mirror, the Labour leader expressed his “frustration” with Rishi Sunak who he said had failed to “relieve the worry felt by millions of households when their council tax bill lands on the doorstep.”
Mr Starmer’s party today revealed that of the 25 areas with the lowest council tax in the country, 22 are Labour controlled.
None of the 25 areas with the highest council taxes are run by Labour - with nine run by Conservatives.
Labour this week said they would freeze council tax this year if they were in power, funding the policy with funds from a windfall tax on oil and gas companies.
Council taxes across the country are set to rise by an average of 5.1% in April.
The average bill will top £2,000 for the first time in 2023-24 - an increase of £99 on the previous year, according to Government figures released last week.
But according to Labour analysis of government figures, Labour-controlled councils charge £345 less in council tax than Conservative councils.
The average council tax bill in a Labour-majority council is £1,385, compared to £1,730 in a Tory-majority council.
Mr Starmer urged the Prime Minister to “urgently” hike taxes on energy firms and follow their plan to freeze council tax.
And he said the only permanent tax cut in Tory plans was the “pensions bung” for the top 1% of earners.
"This is a country that is crying out for change. We've had 13 years of Conservative failure now,” Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed told the Sunday Mirror at a Labour campaign launch yesterday morning.
Asked about rumours that Mr Sunak is plotting an early election, Mr Reed added: "A general election gives us the chance of hope with a Labour government. If Rishi Sunak wants to bring on that election, bring it on. We're ready."
'Labour would freeze your council tax - and have a relentless focus on improving lives'
By Keir Starmer
BRITAIN is full of potential, ambition and opportunity. I've seen it for myself this week in Swindon, Plymouth, and the Medway towns.
Families, students, business, all bursting with ideas and motivation, for themselves and their communities.
But they're being held back by a Conservative government that fails to match their ambition.
They're frustrated. I'm frustrated for them.
After 13 years under the Tories, people are rightly asking themselves if they're any better off. Food bills rising. Energy costs soaring. Mortgages eye-wateringly expensive. But wages stagnated.
The Tories crashed the economy and working people are picking up the bill.
The choices this government keep making are holding back Britain's aspiration, and choking off our opportunities.
They change their leader, but don't change their tune.
The only permanent tax cut in the budget last month was a pension bung for the richest 1%.
Britain deserves better. It's time for a change.
We know the cost of living crisis is biting. Labour would act with the urgency needed.
A Labour government would freeze your Council Tax this year. More money in your pocket now, funded by a proper windfall tax on oil and gas giants.
They have more money than they know what to do with. The choice to be made is very obvious to me.
But Labour also has a long-term plan to give Britain its future back. Knee-jerk sticking plaster solutions don't cut it.
We will be a mission-driven government. No wavering, distraction, or being knocked off course. A relentless focus on improving people's lives. Fairness at the core of every decision we make.
For example, I will close the non-dom tax loophole. If you live and work here, you will pay tax here. Why on earth not? We'll use that money to train a new generation of doctors and nurses, and fund Breakfast Clubs for every child.
Politics is about choices. And Rishi Sunak could make one today that will relieve the worry felt by millions of households when their council tax bill lands on the doorstep.
There's money on the table. People need support. I'm urging the Prime Minister to take our policy and freeze council tax this year.
There is no time for delay.
