Mayor Lutfur Rahman Breaks Council Tax Manifesto Promise

Residents of Tower Hamlets are facing severe financial strain as Mayor Lutfur Rahman backtracks on his key manifesto promise to freeze council tax. He is enacting a substantial increase, forcing households to pay an additional 4.99% annually[1], during a time of severe economic hardship.

Over three years, this totals a staggering extra cost of £517.71 per household.[2]

The Tower Hamlets Labour Group condemns this broken promise and the financial burden imposed upon hardworking residents. One year ago, the Chartered Institute for Public Finance warned of unsustainable finances under the current administration[3]. Instead of addressing these systemic issues, Mayor Rahman has chosen to shift the costs onto the backs of struggling families.

Cllr Marc Francis, Tower Hamlets Labour’s shadow member for Finance said: “This council tax hike is a betrayal of trust, Residents are grappling with soaring costs of living, yet Mayor Rahman prioritises funding wasteful advisors, self-promotional ventures, and vanity projects over the wellbeing of everyday people. Labour had an honest approach to managing the council’s finances; we cannot support the way these increases are being carried out.”

Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Sirajul Islam said: “Lutfur Rahman simply cannot be trusted. On the first page of his manifesto, he promised no council tax rises[4]. Now, he’s shamelessly broken that promise to cover the costs of his mismanagement and outlandish spending.”

“Instead of protecting residents, Rahman prioritises photo ops and office upgrades. This isn’t a ‘people’s budget’ – it’s a publicity package funded by hardworking families facing higher taxes, rents, and parking charges.”

ENDS


[1] Tower Hamlets Council – Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 31st January, 2024, 5.30 p.m.

[2] Cumulative increase of 4.99% for a band D property (inc. Social care precept)

[3] Tower Hamlets: Concerns expressed that council ‘going wrong again’ as chief executive’s departure announced – OnLondon

[4] Manifesto – Lutfur Rahman