THE rise in Bolton Council Tax bills of 8.5 per cent from April has been condemned as "horrendous" by a councillor who claims residents will be paying more and getting less.
The Conservative councillor for Bradshaw, Paul Brierley, said the Labour controlled council had turned Council Tax into a stealth tax.
"This is yet another kick in the teeth for the tax payer," he said.
"The increase clearly indicates how out of touch both the Labour Government and the Labour controlled council are with reality.
"The rise is nearly three times the rate of inflation and will increase the burden of taxation on hard-working families and pensioners at a time when the state pension and most wage increases have been in line with inflation."
He also blamed the Government for loading councils with new burdens, taxes and bureaucracy
which he believes was a major factor in this year's increases.
Cllr Brierley said: "Every year Labour claim that funding settlements are generous, every year council tax has soared and every year they break their promise."
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