"LONDONERS CANNOT AFFORD MAYOR'S BUDGET"

6.03.11pm GMT Wed 14th Dec 2005

Speaking after the Mayor of London revealed in his draft consultation budget that he would be looking at requiring Londoners to pay an extra 16.5 % on his Council Tax precept demand, Sally Hamwee, Liberal Democrat Budget Spokesperson on the London Assembly and Chair of the Assembly's Budget Committee said:

"The Mayor must demonstrate that his budget is responsible. The unfair Council Tax system means that the Mayor's precept hits hardest on those who find it hardest to pay, and he himself acknowledges that it has previously reached the level most people can bear. He must show very clearly how counter-terrorism measures are being paid for, that the Safer Neighbourhoods teams will operate at full strength, and that he is trimming back spending on his own presidential style.

"When Londoners are being asked to pay extra for the Olympics, Mr Livingstone must ensure that all his other spending is devoted to improving public services in London. This consultation budget means that more than half of the total growth is for non-Olympic related items. It is a budget that Londoners cannot afford and Mr Livingstone must cut it. "

ENDS