CONSERVATIVE councillors in Kirklees have slammed the Government over council tax.

They also launched a withering attack on Government minister Nick Raynsford.

It was hypocritical of him to suggest that councils should hold referendums if council tax rises were to be more than twice the rate of inflation, they said.

Clr Robert light, Tory group leader on Kirklees, said the Government was largely responsible for successive council tax rises in Kirklees, which have totalled almost 19% over the last three years.

He said the Government had "lost the plot" over council tax rises, which it effectively forced on councils.

It was constantly trying to shift the blame for the rises on to councils, he said.

"The Government makes a great play about giving councils grants in excess of inflation," said Clr Light.

"But what it neglects to say is that laws they have implemented have meant council spending on social services and education, the largest two elements of council budgets, have had to increase by up to 8%.

"It is outrageous that they have pushed the burden of taxation on to councils, stipulating the rises they expect," said Clr Light.

"Then they have the cheek to blame those authorities when they are forced to set rises they have little control over.

"My group's policy is to limit council tax increases to the rate of inflation.

"But, quite frankly, this has been impossible in our last three budgets because of Government interference," he added.

Have your say