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Local government

Labour's Plan to Reinstated Pensions for Councillors and Mayors Set to Cost Taxpayers £45m a Year

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Labour's plans to reinstate pensions for councillors and mayors in England are set to cost taxpayers £45m a year, official figures suggest. According to the Government Actuary's department, the move would cost between £40m and £45m annually, with no additional funding provided to cover the costs. This comes as council tax across England is expected to rise by £9.4bn by 2029, adding to the financial burden on households.

Key Takeaways:

  • Labour's proposal to reinstate pensions for councillors and mayors in England would cost taxpayers £45m a year, with the cost expected to be between £40m and £45m annually.
  • The move would compel local authorities to offer even more generous pensions than before, with employer contributions based on both the basic and special allowances of elected representatives.
  • The basic allowance alone can be as high as £18,000 a year, according to the Local Government Chronicle, which would further increase the cost of the pensions.
  • The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) provides a guaranteed, inflation-linked income for life in retirement, adding to the financial risk for taxpayers.
  • Nine in 10 town halls across England have already raised their council tax by the maximum 5pc this year, and households can't afford their council tax bills.
  • Local councils' finances are already in tatters, with councils struggling to cover their social care and special education obligations.

Statistics:

  • The Government Actuary's department estimates the cost of reinstating pensions for councillors and mayors in England to be between £40m and £45m annually.
  • Council tax across England is expected to rise by £9.4bn by 2029.
  • The basic allowance for elected representatives in England can be as high as £18,000 a year, according to the Local Government Chronicle.

Sources:

  • The Government Actuary's department
  • Local Government Chronicle
  • Financial Times
  • The Telegraph
  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (no specific date)

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