Richmond Borough to be hit with Council Tax Whammy

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th Jul 2002

This is a quotation for publication on the Labour Government's plans to tax allegedy affluent areas in order to increase spending in underprivileged parts of the country.

Richmond upon Thames has been named as one of the areas likely to lose out - possibly another 10 per cent on council tax to fund the changes.

Quotation for publication from Serge Lourie, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Richmond Council

"I am appalled that the Government is going to increase the burden on the council tax payers of the borough. We are already extremely badly treated receiving far less grant per head than any London borough. If we got as much per head as Kingston, the band D council tax could be reduced by £240. If we got as much in total as Wandsworth, we would not have to charge any Council Tax for our own services. I would be very happy to join with the new administration and Members of Parliament to make strong representations to the Government"