Police Tax up by 140% since 1997

9.43.46am GMT Mon 15th Mar 2004

Police Tax locally has gone up by 140% since 1997

Mike Bell, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Woodspring Constituency has today published new research showing that the police authority levy on North Somerset,s council tax bills has soared by 140% under Labour.

This year, the police tax is forecast to be £125 on Band D bills, compared to £52 in 1997, an increase of £73 a year or 140%.

Mike Bell commented: "The police precept on local council tax bills has gone up by 7 times the rate of inflation since 1997. The Labour Government has piled extra cost pressures, new burdens and red-tape onto our police which have forced up costs, but its local taxpayers who are being made to foot the bill.

"We all welcome more police on the beat and we know that they have to be paid for, but Labour's unfair funding and local tax system is jacking up police tax bills increasing the burden on those least able to pay.

"A fairer funding deal for North Somerset is part of the solution, but the Government has got to listen to local people and get rid of the council tax once and for all. It's an unfair way of funding the police, just as it is an unfair of funding the council."

Police Council Tax precept for Avon and Somerset at Band D:

2004/05 - £125 (estimate)

2003/04 - £112

2002/03 - £83

2001/02 - £73

2000/01 - £68

1999/00 - £61

1998/99 - £55

1997/98 - £52

Source: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Avon & Somerset Police Authority