The Conservative councillors in Southampton are putting a leaflet through doors claiming the Labour controlled council has increased the council tax paid by a band D property by over £400 and they also promise a zero-council tax increase.

This is correct but the increase refers to the period from 2012, and this is highlighted in very small print at the bottom of the leaflet.

What they don’t say on the leaflet is that at the February council meeting the Conservative proposals supported a 5% increase for 2021/22.

Their promise of a zero-tax increase actually refers to 2022/23 and this will increase the budget gap for this year and this will have to be funded as councils must by law submit a balanced budget.

Nearly every council in England is raising their council tax by the Conservative Government’s limit of 5% and this includes the 1.99% council tax increase and the 3% social care levy increase.

Most of our neighbouring authorities are doing this and this includes Hampshire, one of the wealthiest councils in England.

For every £1 raised in council tax in Southampton, 67p is spent on care whether for adults or children.

This pandemic has exposed the growing inequalities faced by many in Southampton and this includes children and elderly.

Southampton is supporting a growing number of children being raised in care and a growing number of adults in care homes.

Unfortunately, the cost of care is rising, and this explains why we need to ask residents to contribute more.

The increase of £405 for a band D property since 2012 is £45 a year.

Eamonn Keogh

Councillor and local Labour candidate

Chair of Governance Committee.