Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, has engaged legal experts to challenge the UK government over what she described as unjust local funding reductions, following a controversial council tax increase in Wandsworth.
The south-west London borough, which is governed by Conservatives, announced plans for a 94% rise in council tax—the highest in the country. Badenoch told BBC Newsnight that the proposed hike was “outrageous” and confirmed that the party has instructed lawyers to determine if an £84 million annual cut in government funding can be legally blocked.
Wandsworth Council attributes the steep increase directly to the reduction in central funding. While the borough has historically maintained one of the lowest council tax rates in the nation, with an average Band D property costing just over £1,000, the planned £958 increase would nearly double that amount. This change is part of a new government provision allowing five London councils, including Wandsworth, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, and the City of London, as well as Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, to raise taxes beyond the standard 5% cap for two years.
Badenoch accused ministers of reallocating resources away from non-Labour areas to support Labour-held regions. “I think they are seemingly taking money from areas that don’t vote Labour and giving it to places that do,” she said, emphasizing that the council was not seeking higher revenues out of preference but due to forced cuts.
When pressed by presenter Matt Chorley on the fact that Wandsworth’s final rates would still remain lower than many other councils nationwide, Badenoch argued that a near-doubling of costs would still cause significant anxiety for households. “Families have budgets,” she noted, adding that she refused to specify an alternative rate of increase but questioned why Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham had not faced similar deep cuts.
Wandsworth Council’s Conservative deputy leader stated that while the rise was unwelcome, the council would continue to challenge the government through all available means. Labour councillor Simon Hogg, the leader of the opposition on the council, called the situation “stunning” and criticized the current administration’s financial management.
However, not all political figures support the local challenge. Three Labour MPs representing Wandsworth—Rosena Allin-Khan, Fleur Anderson, and Marsha de Cordova—have declined to back the appeal against the funding cuts. They argued that the council was in a strong financial position prior to the May elections.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government defended the reforms, stating that the existing funding system was “outdated” and needed restructuring to direct money where it was most needed. The ministry maintained that local authorities decide their own tax levels but should prioritize taxpayers during the transition.
Other London boroughs, including Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hammersmith and Fulham, are considering using the Sustainable Communities Act to join Wandsworth in legal action against the funding changes. A final decision on the tax hike is expected early next year.
Wandsworth had a strong financial position before the election, so is this really the council’s fault? Feels like poor management.
The government calls the old system outdated, but this just shifts the burden unfairly onto London taxpayers. Completely unjust.
Why are Labour MPs refusing to back this? If the funding cuts are real, shouldn’t they be united in opposing them?
Families are already struggling. Doubling council tax is cruel, regardless of the political blame game being played here.
Is 94% even legally possible? This feels like a desperate political stunt rather than genuine fiscal responsibility.