Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats have criticised Government proposals for a massive hike in Council Tenant rent payments.

Rents in London are set to rise by up to 9% after the Government proposed an increase of more than double the current rate of inflation.  Although the increase in Waltham Forest has been recommended by the portfolio holder to be set at 5.8%, local Liberal Democrat Leader John Macklin is calling for the Government to think again about its reccomendations.

Cllr Macklin said:

“I am very unhappy about this proposed local rent increase and I have made my feelings on the issue clear to both Council officers and the responsible cabinet members.

“This proposal either represents some very muddled thinking by the Labour Party or another cynical attempt to play smoke and mirrors with financial support at a time when many need it the most.

“First it was Whipps Cross, then Post Office closures.  How many more times are local Labour councillors going to be forced to try and disown their own party colleagues in Government?

 “I accept that, to a large extent, the Council is dictated to by the Labour Government’s policy on this issue, and so I find it staggering that they think it is appropriate to saddle local people with this kind of increased financial burden.   It comes at a time when the country is suffering what ministers are now admitting is a national financial crisis more extreme and more serious than that of the 1930s.

“Gordon Brown needs to stop juggling his finances in order to produce the best newspaper headlines and seriously reconsider his lack of practical support for our local Council tenants”