With local elections in London happening next year, Tory run Ealing Council has recently approved a £6m package to “help boost the local economy”. Included in this package is a £50 rebate to all 122,000 Ealing residents who pay council tax to the borough. They are not due to hand out this money until 1 December.

The timing of this “Value for Money Premium”, as they are calling it, is rather suspicious. The Tories claim that the money comes from “prudent book-keeping”.

I personally am not a fan of this “give away”. This money should go to paying for front line services. And I agree with the Ealing branch of UNISON who said…

But the Ealing branch of UNISON said they were dismayed by the scheme as the council has already cut services, leading to increased case-loads for social workers and the library book budget was slashed by a third.

Mary Lancaster, Ealing UNISON co-Branch Secretary, said: “It’s only a few months since the Council set its budget for this financial year, and now they’re changing it.

“Public finances are going to be under intense pressure and the Council is expecting reduced resources for years to come. They need to be honest about the implications of the ‘give-away’ for the future of Council services.”

Why would the Tories want to introduce this scheme, especially so close to the local elections next year? I can only think of one reason…

Source: Ealing Gazette = Tories’ £50 giveaway plan comes under fire

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