Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford MP was on the radio last week to say that he would be continuing to urge councils to keep council tax increases as low as possible.
That was in response to his boss—Deputy PM John Prescott—being widely quoted as saying that he was going to give tax-raising powers to parish councils. In other words another layer of council tax!
So who is telling the truth? With this government we may never know, as truth always seems a casualty.
But as Prescott is the boss I tend to think his idea will be the final word on the subject. But why the idea in the first place?
Well apparently parish councils will be able to raise money to pay for CCTV and additional policing in order to combat anti-social behaviour. When I speak to my colleague Mark Reckless, who represents the Hoo Peninsula, he tells me how those residents are being failed by the government.
The reason for that view is because the government is already collecting taxes to pay for policing and all the other things we expect of government, but precious little of that money is being seen in the parishes of Medway. This government continues to fail the people of Medway.
The answer from a government which has already levied over 66 tax rises is? You‘ve guessed it. More taxes.
Nick Raynsford can issue all the denials he likes, but the truth—for once—is out.