London boroughs challenge PM on council tax hikes

Three Conservative council leaders in London have written to Andy Burnham, accusing the government of "devolving blame" for council tax hikes.

The leaders of Westminster, Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea councils said they were being forced to significantly raise council tax or cut services to plug a hole left by cuts to central government funding.

It follows a reform of council funding, which means more cash is directed to deprived areas.

The Tories want the change reviewed, claiming it will "worsen the lives of local residents across London and the South East". But the government said it was "fixing an outdated system" that benefited wealthy areas while poorer communities lost out.

The reforms made the system "fairer for taxpayers across the country", ministers added.

In a letter, Westminster City Council's Paul Swaddle, Wandsworth Council's Robert Morritt and Kensington and Chelsea Council's Elizabeth Campbell said the government's funding formula "punishes low tax councils".

They said: "If our councils do not impose council tax rises, our communities face considerable cuts in funding for local services.

"This is not just devolving blame, it is devolving council tax rises and government cuts.