Raising the council tax threshold to five percent is not the answer, says Northumberland Labour.

Leader Scott Dickinson said: “In his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor still failed to allocate the greater tax burden to those with the broadest shoulders.

“Instead he said local authorities could increase council tax by up to three percent with another two percent for social care. This means ordinary people and families could face yet another hike in council tax, which many can ill afford.

“National high-demand services such as adult social care, child protection, and homelessness should be paid for at a national level. The result of the Chancellor’s decision is more difficult choices for councils and possible hardship for local people.

“The Autumn Statement was perhaps not as bad for councils as might have been predicted, but it’s not good news for Northumbrian individuals and families who will be asked to pay more.”