Peter Dowd MP has called on the Prime Minister to scrap a planned 5% council tax rise that will add £99.00 to annual household council tax bills for the average Band D home in Bootle constituency, the House of Commons voted against the Government’s plans to make families pay for a £22m hole in Sefton’s council budget.

Sefton faces a funding gap because of income lost during the pandemic and the additional costs of keeping communities safe from covid-19.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said councils would be funded to do “whatever it takes” to support their communities but later backtracked and suggested councils should share the burden of their lost income.

Peter Dowd MP said: “It is reckless for the government to go ahead with the planned council tax rise, instead it should properly fund local government to avoid them being forced to raise council tax. I know many families are worried about the future of their jobs and how they will get through the next few months.

This Government should not be making families pay for their mishandling of the Covid crisis and their broken promises to support councils.

The Government must listen to the will of the House of Commons – live up to the promise made and not force councils to raise council tax to protect vital services during this crisis.”