Forum Topic

Council Tax for TFL

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/sadiq-khan-council-tax-tfl-michael-gove-government-b1046800.html

Emma Blackwell ● 1147d11 Comments

Labour's election pledge to reduce CT by 1% next year is looking unlikely, I suspect we will actually see a circa 2.99% rise plus a significant rise to the Social Care fund. I dont have a problem with a 3% rise as I see our CT as very good value, what concerns me more is the effect on Council reserves and possibly cuts to services.

Adam Tripp ● 1145d

Philippa,We can all see how the money is collected and divided up. How is it allocated back to the communities is the question? Be it transport or policing.Let's not forget that TFL axed the Roehampton to Hammersmith link without a second thought.If you have a glass ball that can see these answers then please share.

Ed Robinson ● 1145d

When you get your Council Tax demand you also get an explanation of how that money is divided up.So you don't think that you should pay for the GLA and associated services?https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/media/10482/guide_to_council_tax.pdf

Philippa Bond ● 1145d

It's a good point.Pay and conditions for many of our social services are poor.As Sadiq Khan says Council tax is regressive but so too is the ULEZ.How do social care workers travel to work? Probably not in recently new cars I imagine. More likely by public transport or old vehicles.Taxation and spending be it local or central is not very transparent in the UK. Perhaps if we could easily see where the money is going we could make better decisions.Unfortunately no one is calling for more transparency - I wonder why?

Ed Robinson ● 1146d

I’m aware that we are paying into the social care fund through our Council Tax, it should actually be more imoWhat I’m saying is that I think we shouldn’t have to pay anything to TFL through our Council Tax and that money going to Sadiq Khan should be extra money going to Social CareThat’s my point

Emma Blackwell ● 1146d

PhillipaIt's not free for all. It's free for those who pass the eligibility test though even  those people will contribute for various services over and above the basic core service.But free for all is a good headline.Wonder if it will still be free when they get independence and the Barnett formula payments are scrapped.

Andy Pike ● 1146d

"might vote for you if you promise road pricing for all cars and speed limit enforcers"If I can get Count Bin Face to change his croissant policy from plain to almond I may vote for him.Not wise to vote for me. I would enforce a Copenhagen/Singapore approach to transport that would see many fined including cyclists.(After a fact finding visit of course).Afte  a Singapore approach to

Ed Robinson ● 1146d

The Govt has allowed the Councils to raise Council Tax so that more can go towards Social Care.In Scotland it is free.https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/nov/18/bigger-council-tax-rises-will-not-prevent-more-cuts-to-services-councils-say#

Philippa Bond ● 1146d

Personally I don’t agree that Londoners should fund TFLIt’s not just Londoners who use public transport, and yet the whole country benefits from the huge tax revenue raised in LondonI would rather see that money go towards social care

Emma Blackwell ● 1146d

there's always the mayoral election coming up Ed! I might vote for you if you promise road pricing for all cars and speed limit enforcers

Matt Palmer ● 1147d

I suspect just like the increase for police it will be difficult to see where the money will go.That's not to say that more money is not needed but without radical reform we will just continue to pay more for less services.Just a reminder of some really daft realities of travel today:Tube & trains should be greener & faster than the bus yet a premium is charged to travel on them. TFL also run buses at a loss to compete with them.The fares need to be the same irrespective of mode of public transport. This would mean charging train, tube, bus or cycle/e-cycle hire at the same rate.A quick look at the costs & charges and it appears that the greenest method costs the most and the cheapest dirtiest & slowest cost the least - which is probably the most subsidised!Surely this madness needs to be fixed!

Ed Robinson ● 1147d