Nationally, Labour has already taken away the Winter Fuel Allowance from pensioners, and they refuse to rule out tax hikes for working people—all while giving pay rises to train drivers already earning upwards of £60,000 a year.
Here in Bishop Auckland, under the Conservatives, we've ensured that low-income households and pensioners are protected. Durham County Council is one of the few councils in the UK to provide council tax discounts to those who need it most, and we made history by freezing core council tax for the first time ever, preventing unnecessary financial pressure on local residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But if Labour win locally, we know what will happen. They’ll do what they've done nationally—strip away the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and hike council tax up by the maximum allowed every single year, squeezing struggling families and pensioners further.
I will stand firm against these Labour cuts and tax hikes, fighting to protect low-income households and ensuring our council provides the support our community deserves. Vote for me to keep taxes low and protect essential services for those who need them most.