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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| London council tax rise below 2% | London council tax rise below 2% |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Council tax rises will be held below the rate of inflation in London, the capital's mayor will announce. | Council tax rises will be held below the rate of inflation in London, the capital's mayor will announce. |
| In the final budget speech at the London Assembly, Ken Livingstone will outline plans to spend the extra cash on the police and fire services. | In the final budget speech at the London Assembly, Ken Livingstone will outline plans to spend the extra cash on the police and fire services. |
| The Greater London Authority's precept on council tax will be held at less than 2%, equivalent to a weekly 11 pence rise for a Band D home. | The Greater London Authority's precept on council tax will be held at less than 2%, equivalent to a weekly 11 pence rise for a Band D home. |
| More than £100m will be used for environmental schemes. | More than £100m will be used for environmental schemes. |
| In a statement released before the speech, Mr Livingstone said: "I have been able to hold the precept increase below the rate of inflation while still funding an additional 1,000 police officers in the coming year. | In a statement released before the speech, Mr Livingstone said: "I have been able to hold the precept increase below the rate of inflation while still funding an additional 1,000 police officers in the coming year. |
| The Mayor of London is not providing anything new for Londoners but he is hitting them where it hurts most - in their pockets Richard BarnesAssembly Conservative leader | The Mayor of London is not providing anything new for Londoners but he is hitting them where it hurts most - in their pockets Richard BarnesAssembly Conservative leader |
| "The 10,000 additional uniformed officers we have recruited have had a decisive impact on crime which has now fallen for the fifth consecutive year." | "The 10,000 additional uniformed officers we have recruited have had a decisive impact on crime which has now fallen for the fifth consecutive year." |
| He said getting officers "out of cars and back on the beat" had enhanced public confidence. | He said getting officers "out of cars and back on the beat" had enhanced public confidence. |
| The extra spending is in addition to his proposals last month of £1.2m for the police budget and another £3m for fire services, he added. | The extra spending is in addition to his proposals last month of £1.2m for the police budget and another £3m for fire services, he added. |
| The budget also showed emphasised environmental issues, with a £25m climate change mitigation fund, £62m towards walking and cycling routes, and £18m set aside for new waste and recycling facilities. | The budget also showed emphasised environmental issues, with a £25m climate change mitigation fund, £62m towards walking and cycling routes, and £18m set aside for new waste and recycling facilities. |
| Alternative proposals | Alternative proposals |
| London Assembly Conservatives also announced their alternative budget proposals. | London Assembly Conservatives also announced their alternative budget proposals. |
| They said their budget involves no tax rises. | They said their budget involves no tax rises. |
| They claim that even without rises their plans would see an extra 500 warranted police officers, 350 more British Transport Police, an additional 300 Safer Transport Officers and an automated number plate recognition unit for each London borough in the capital. | |
| Richard Barnes, London Assembly Conservative leader, said: "The Mayor of London is not providing anything new for Londoners but he is hitting them where it hurts most - in their pockets. | |
| "It's just the same old tired, miserable old-fashioned budget from the same old tired, miserable old-fashioned Mayor." | "It's just the same old tired, miserable old-fashioned budget from the same old tired, miserable old-fashioned Mayor." |
| 'Not sustainable' | |
| The budget has been criticised by borough councils. | |
| Westminster City Council called for the mayor to review the budget to take a long-term view that would include the financial commitments to Crossrail and the 2012 Games. | |
| Deputy council leader and cabinet member for finance Councillor Colin Barrow said: "We are deeply concerned that these policies are simply not sustainable and could result in either big rises in Tube and bus fares or cutbacks to essential GLA services in the future." | |
| He said the Mayor has increased his share of council tax by 150% since he was elected eight years ago. |