Badenoch Vows Legal Challenge as Wandsworth Council Imposes 94% Tax Increase

Pressed on the fact that Wandsworth’s council tax would remain lower than many other authorities, Badenoch acknowledged the increase would still concern some families.

She added: “If you suddenly face a nearly 100% increase in council tax, you would be extremely worried. Families operate within fixed budgets.”

Badenoch stressed that average comparisons should not obscure affordability concerns: “Just because it is lower than elsewhere on average does not mean people can afford it.”

She declined to specify an alternative increase rate but questioned why a 40% reduction was being imposed on the council, noting that “Andy Burnham has not found 40% of anything to cut” himself.

Badenoch defended her tenure as local government minister under Conservative government, despite record grants cuts to councils.

Wandsworth Council’s Conservative deputy leader stated on Tuesday: “Higher council tax will not be easy or welcome. We do not regard it as fair and will continue to challenge the government by every possible means.”

Other London councils—including Westminster, Richmond, and Kensington and Chelsea—are considering joining Wandsworth in challenging government funding cuts under the Sustainable Communities Act.

Following central government funding cuts, the standard 5% annual council tax cap was lifted for these councils and Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire.

Labour opposition leader Simon Hogg condemned the move: “It’s outrageous, it is stunning. People who do not know how to run the council are panicking and making you pay the price.”

He added: “This increase is unfair, it is unnecessary, and we oppose it.”

However, PoliticsHome reported that three Labour MPs in Wandsworth—Rosena Allin-Khan, Fleur Anderson, and Marsha de Cordova—have refused to support the council’s appeal against the funding cuts.

The MPs asserted the council “was in a strong financial position” before Conservatives took control in May’s elections.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson stated: “Local authorities decide their council tax level, but taxpayers must come first.”

“We have made over £78 billion available for council finances next year, with the majority unringfenced so local leaders can allocate funds according to local priorities.”

“We are reforming an outdated funding system to direct resources where need is greatest, protecting councils through the transition and ensuring no area faces a cliff edge.”

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