Tax Payers’ Alliance ready to fight Havering’s 3% council tax rise.

“With the council set for a tight vote on the rise, now is the time for local councillors to take a stand on behalf of their hard-pressed residents.”

Havering Council has announced its plans to raise council tax by 3 per cent. With many local residents facing a cost of living crisis, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) is campaigning against this punishing tax hike. It comes after the council recently created two additional cabinet posts at a cost of £58,712 to the public purse.

The TPA is urging the local authority to make sensible savings and stop the planned rise in council tax. Figures calculated by the TPA reveal that since 2000-01, rates in Havering have risen by 122 per cent in cash terms.

Campaigners are urging residents to contact councillors from the North Havering Residents Group and call on them to oppose the tax rise. The TPA will focus its campaign on the Gooshays and Harold Wood wards that these members represent. With no party in overall control of the council, it could only take a few votes to defeat the council tax rise.

Our findings show:

• For a Band D property an increase of 3 per cent means taxpayers will pay an extra £56.79 this year with bills hitting £1,950.
• Havering already has the 4th highest council tax of London boroughs.
• Since 2000-01 council tax in Havering has increased by 122 per cent in cash terms.
• In 2020-21, Havering employed 16 members of staff who received remuneration in excess of £100,000. Of these, 5 received more than £150,000

Harry Fone, grassroots campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance said:

“This tax hike will only put more taxpayers under even more financial strain.”

“It simply isn’t fair that town hall bosses are digging ever deeper into people’s pockets, when they should focus on getting their own house in order.

“With the council set for a tight vote on the rise, now is the time for local councillors to take a stand on behalf of their hard-pressed residents.”