Labour hits out at Reform over 5% tax rise hint

MPS ACCUSE PARTY OF BREAKING ELECTION PROMISE

- By CATHERINE LANGSTON

LABOUR MPs Tony Vaughan and Mike Tapp have accused Reform UK of “gimmicks” and “incompetence” as the party, which runs Kent County Council (KCC), hints it is on track to break a key election promise and raise council tax by the maximum possible amount

Reform UK, which took control of KCC in May on a pledge to slash “wasteful spending,” is now facing a projected overspend of £27.9 million. The authority's adult social care chief, Diane Morton, has indicated that a 5% rise to KCC's share of the council tax bill is likely, warning that services are already “down to the bare bones”.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Ms Morton said: “I think it’s going to be five per cent. We've got more demand than ever before and it's growing. We just want more money.”

The news has been met with fierce criticism from Folkestone MP Tony Vaughan, who says the party’s campaign promises have “evaporated into thin air.”