SHEFFIELD LABOUR COUNCIL TAX BOMBSHELL

12.00.00am GMT Thu 18th Dec 2008

Local Liberal Democrats are warning of a huge 'Labour Council Tax bombshell' after a senior Sheffield Labour Councillor confirmed that they want to increase bills by £104 to pay for free public transport on a weekend. The plan was confirmed by the senior Labour Councillor in a letter to the 'The Star' local newspaper when he responded to Lib Dems questioning the expensive policy.

In his letter Labour's spokesperson for Economic Regeneration, Cllr Tim Rippon, said "I would happily pay another £2 per week on my council tax if it meant I could travel free on local buses or trams.".

Lib Dems are against the plan as they believe that local people cannot afford the extra £104 on Council Tax bills at a time when they are already feeling the pinch. Lib Dems are also questioning why over 60's should pay an extra £104 for a service that they already use for free.

Liberal Democrat Leader of Sheffield City Council, Cllr Paul Scriven, said: -

"Labour are completely out of touch if they believe local people can afford an extra £104 over and above next years Council Tax bill. People are struggling to make ends meet as it is. They can do without Labour deciding it's a good idea to spend millions extra without a thought for how local people can pay for it."

"What's more, I cannot understand why Labour want to make the over 60's pay for free public transport on a weekend when they are already entitled to free public transport all year round. Labour's policy just doesn't make sense."

"It's clear that this is an early Christmas present from Labour that we could all do without. We are calling on them to see sense and drop their plans for a Labour Council Tax bombshell immediately."