Shameful answers show Labour has no defence against council tax criticism

12.00.00am GMT Tue 16th Nov 2004

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly leader Mike German put the unfairness and randomness of council tax rebanding in the spotlight during First Minister's questions at the Assembly this afternoon.

Mr German challenged the First Minister to give a message to his constituents, many of whom will face increases of between 10% and 20% next year.

Mr German said: "What is your message to the 93% of residents in Riverside and 86% in the Canton areas of your constituency who will see their council tax increase by 10%-20% as a result of rebanding? That's more for the richest and for the poorest."

Mr Morgan claimed that it was up to individual councils to set council tax, and nothing to do with his Assembly Government, or rebanding.

Mr German replied: "I find that answer quite shameful. If you take a like-for-like basis between this year and next, people will be faced with a 20% increase even if the council didn't put their tax rate up by a single penny. Pensioners, and those who are renting, face increases in a quite random way. That's the result of rebanding.

He also questioned whether Wales was "just the guinea pig for rebanding in England?" The rebanding of English homes is not due to take place until 2007, and is already provoking storms of protest after MPs in England have seen the figures and what they mean for council tax payers in Wales.