Member of the Senedd for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has challenged the Welsh Labour Government on the ‘fairness’ of Council Tax in Wales.

During questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language on Wednesday, the Monmouth MS pointed out that residents in England are facing rises of 5%, which is the top of the legal cap in place in England. Any higher increase would need the consent of residents via a local referendum.

Mr Fox commented that his residents could only imagine a rise of just 5%, with Monmouthshire County Council increasing Council Tax by 7.9% this year, following a 7.8% increase the last year and a 5.95% increase the year before that.

He challenged the Cabinet Secretary on the pressure these huge increases are having on Welsh residents, especially at a time when they are facing the problems associated with the cost of living.

The Monmouth MS queried the fairness of the system with the Cabinet Secretary, asking why two Labour run countries have such different systems, with England legally restricting the amount able to be charged, but Welsh local authorities able to effectively levy what they want.

Local MS for Monmouth, Peter Fox, has said: “We were told that once Labour were in power in Westminster, everything would be hunky dory, but time and time again we see evidence this is not the case.

“This is another example of a split between UK and Welsh Labour, with the unfortunate outcome being a higher bill for Welsh residents.

“Both countries are under control of Labour, yet the two systems are vastly different. English residents quite rightly have a say if they face rises above 5%, yet Welsh residents just have to bite the bullet and find the money.

“The Welsh Conservatives would end this unfairness by introducing the same 5% legal cap in Wales, because we believe the people of Wales deserve a real say.

“It speaks volumes that Welsh Labour refuses to do the same. After 26 years in power, they’re out of ideas, out of energy, and out of touch.”