Local Government Finance

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:08 pm on 5 February 2004.

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Photo of Michael Jabez Foster Michael Jabez Foster Labour, Hastings and Rye 4:08, 5 February 2004

Yes. Is not the problem that when the Chancellor explained that the extra money would be available, it was described as a benefit that would enable authorities to restrict council tax, yet in East Sussex no extra money came from the second grant? However, East Sussex has received a 37 per cent. increase, which is why capping should be pursued; under the previous Tory Government, cuts of 7 per cent. were the norm, so the current situation is completely different.