The council's claim that it is only increasing the council tax by below the rate of inflation merits scrutiny, given Labour's long-held policy of milking York residents.

Firstly, the council claims an increase of 2.95 per cent is below the rate of inflation. This is true if the rate of inflation is spuriously based on the average inflation rate of the last 12 months as suggested by the council's spin-doctors, but not if based on the Government's preferred basis which is the underlying rate.

Secondly, the council suggests that the low increase is due to improved financial management and a generous financial settlement from central government.

The former should have been introduced years ago and the latter is at the expense of North Yorkshire County Council, which has been starved of government funding.

The Labour council is desperately trying to present itself as a prudent council. Having taxed so heavily in the past, one year's low increase makes little difference to the cumulative amount paid by York residents.

The average council tax bill will still be about £100 higher than at the time of the last general election. Inevitably, if re-elected in May, Labour would return to raiding residents pockets.

Election con-tricks are not very attractive.

Simon Mallett,

Deputy Chairman City of York Conservatives.

Ash Street,

York.

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