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Original poster

Ridiculous increase in council tax for police funding

183 replies

NigelGresley · 14/03/2019 20:07

Last year the increase on our council tax bill for the police was 12%, this year it has increased by 22% !!!

I am furious with the government for cutting central funding and transferring the burden to local people. But at the same time wondering whether our police force is really cutting its cloth accordingly.

Anyone else seen such huge increases?
How much longer can this continue? Some people are really going to struggle to pay.

OP posts:
itsboiledeggsagain · 14/03/2019 20:13

What sort of area do you live in?
Some forces get a very poor deal from the national funding formula.
Where do you suggest police savings could be found?

Tomtontom · 14/03/2019 20:15

As a result of funding cuts, there are 20,000 less police officers than in 2010.

Would you like them to cut more?

MrsExpo · 14/03/2019 20:17

We got our council tax bill this week OP and the hike for policing was 12.5%. I agree with you 100%. Outrageous.

(We are in the East Midlands for reference).

PinkiOcelot · 14/03/2019 20:17

So others are happy with the huge increase in their council tax bills?!
I agree OP. I’m totally pissed off with my new bill!

Walkingdeadfangirl · 14/03/2019 20:18

What difference does it make if its a council tax increase or a general income tax increase. Do you not think police do not need the money?

ZippyBungleandGeorge · 14/03/2019 20:20

Ours was 14.6% for police, happy to pay it. We need more police resources the money has to come from somewhere, our 5.5% total increase in reality means £6 a month extra on a band c 3 bed semi, it's not even a couple of takeaway coffees.

1moreRep · 14/03/2019 20:20

well as a serving officer i can tell you that we are stretched to breaking point, plus it's also our council tax going up too.

Tomtontom · 14/03/2019 20:22

I doubt anyone is happy with the council tax rise.

We could stop corporates avoiding millions in tax. But that wouldn't suit the Tories would it.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 14/03/2019 20:22

Thoroughly pissed off here!!! Sadiq Khan’t could try slashing some of his canvassing/ marketing budget!! Intent on making the poor poorer, and working families suffer yet further: increased council tax, new low emission charge zone, extended the low emission zone eugh!!!

PanamaPattie · 14/03/2019 20:22

It's just a few more pounds to increase police resources. I don't see the issue. It seems like good value to me.

chillpizza · 14/03/2019 20:24

I’ve not got my new bill yet but it goes up every year. Just another bill to pay but I don’t get a choice in this one.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 14/03/2019 20:28

Because it’s a few more pounds on my: travel, council tax, phone bill, tv license, nursery fees....where do all these extra pounds come from?!!!

Extraordinarytimes · 14/03/2019 20:37

This increase is a bit different - it has nothing to do with inflation, rising costs etc. It is literally to put officers on the streets as the cuts have resulted in dangerous levels of officers. It’s fairly well publicised on how much cost cutting has been done - officers cut, buildings sold etc. Where I am it has resulted in a recruitment process (goes live in 3 weeks) which will be for frontline officers. Yes it’s shit that the money hasn’t come from central government, but you might want to check your local area as you should be able to see where the money is going. It should be used in very real terms and was voted for because the nation is approaching crisis. I live in a town, but far from the nearest police base. I know that currently if I needed the police, I would have a 20-30 minute wait. It’s a stark reality...

Whereareyouspot · 14/03/2019 20:39

I’m all for it

GoGoJo · 14/03/2019 20:43

I think taxes should be increased to pay for the things we need but it needs to come from general taxation- council tax is not a progressive tax, especially in London where the bands are so out of date with house price rises. Better to raise income tax so it is at least based on earnings rather than property cost.

BobTheDuvet · 14/03/2019 20:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GemmeFatale · 14/03/2019 20:48

I’m not impressed by the huge coubcil tax hike here either but the reality is we are desperate for more policing and the money isn’t going to appear from nowhere

chillpizza · 14/03/2019 20:49

Oh and my local council all just voted to give them selfs pay rises! Wtf!! All in this together my arse.

SaveKevin · 14/03/2019 20:54

Whilst I don’t want my council tax to go up. Money is tight.
However, the police are struggling their arse off and need more money. It’s got to come from somewhere.

Seniorcitizen1 · 14/03/2019 20:55

I am happy to pay higher council tax as it is needed to pay for crucial services. In Scotland we had a freeze for years but Govt did not make up the difference so services decimated.

Alsohuman · 14/03/2019 21:00

They could double the police precept as far as I'm concerned.

Noonemournsthewicked · 14/03/2019 21:06

Honestly feel on the edge of civil disobedience at this point. Council tax is 6% of our income. Qualify for no help whatsoever and on the bones of our arse for years. Tried to improve my income by retraining and ended up having a breakdown and this brexit shit show just carries on.

OftenHangry · 14/03/2019 21:09

Mine's gone up £3 a month. And no. I don't mind. Want council to pay people living wage? Want police on streets? Want amazing events in a city? Fancy having fireman around to save my arse if anything happen?

Yes, I do and I understand all that has to be paid.

Agree about central gov being shit with their cuts though!

ooooohbetty · 14/03/2019 21:10

I'm happy to pay the £4 a month rise in my council tax to prop up services.

DopeyDazy · 14/03/2019 21:15

I wouldn't mind if you saw more police ,most of it probably goes on Commissioners vanity projects and gold plated pensions that nobody else gets