THE news that council tax payers face a massive 10 per cent increase in 2002 prompted me to look at what has happened in previous years. I think the results are interesting.
From 1993-97, the average increase was four per cent per year. From 1997-2001, the average increase more than doubled to nearly nine per cent per year, despite the low inflation level.
That led me to think about what events occurred in 1997 which could explain this huge jump in the rate of increase. There is only one I can think of - the advent of a Labour Government.
With the 2002 addition, council tax in Redditch will have increased by more then 50 per cent since 1997 - yet another stealth tax.
I hope the voters will bear this in mind in future elections, both local and national.
R Becker
Hennals Avenue
Webheath
