Liberal Democrats propose council tax freeze in Islington

12.32.23pm GMT Wed 11th Feb 2009

Islington Liberal Democrats have proposed a freeze in council tax to help residents with the recession.

Islington Liberal Democrats have proposed a freeze in the council tax this year for all residents.

The move comes in light of rising unemployment locally and people tightening their belts. The freeze is only possible because of the excellent management of the council's finances since the Liberal Democrats took control in 2000.

The council tax freeze is the latest initiative taken by the Liberal Democrat council to help Islington residents through the recession. In December Council agreed Liberal Democrat proposals for a ten-point action plan to help residents and businesses.

Islington's Liberal Democrat council leader James Kempton said:

"The last thing Islington people need right now is an even bigger bill from the Council. Liberal Democrats believe that when times are hard people should keep their own money and decide how they want to spend it.

"Thanks to the Liberal Democrats running a tight financial ship along with identifying £10 million of efficiency savings this year alone, we can help Islington residents by freezing everyone's council tax while still improving frontline services.

"This is only possible because Liberal Democrats have turned around Islington's finances. Under Labour, Islington was a basket case with the highest council tax in London and some of the worst services in Britain.

"When times are hard, Islington residents need money in their pockets and the most vulnerable need protecting. That's what the Liberal Democrat budget will do. I hope now that the other parties will back our plans."