New analysis reveals Labour-run local authorities not only keep council tax £276 lower than the average Conservative Council, they also invest more on the things that matter to local people including crime reduction, economic development, children centres and youth services, as well as street cleaning and potholes.

The research, based on a detailed comparative analysis of all council budgets for 2023/24, underlines what’s at stake at the local elections in May: lower council tax and investment in the services that matter most to residents under Labour, or paying more for less with the Conservatives.

Publishing the analysis, Northumberland Labour Leader Scott Dickinson MBE said,

“After 14 years of chaos and decline under the Conservatives this May’s local elections come at a crucial time. They are our last chance for many voters to express a view on the state of the country, as well as who should be running local services, ahead of the general election.

“We can all see the Tories in Westminster have failed – a cost of living crisis, stagnant economy, public services on their knees, and filth clogging up our rivers. And new figures published today reveal the Tories are failing to keep up with Labour at a local level as well.

“However you look at it, the coming elections are a straight choice between a Conservative Party that has practically given up, and a Labour Party working every day to get Britain’s future back.”

Labour Councils vs Conservative councils – comparative analysis of 2023/24 budgets:

Council Tax:

For 2024/25 the average council tax bill is £276 lower for Labour councils compared to Tory councils:

Labour controlled councils average bill: £1495

Conservative controlled councils average bill: £1771

Crime and security:

Labour councils invest more per head of population than Conservative councils on key services to keep residents safe and secure:

–         More than twice as much on crime reduction (121% more per head), including paying for extra police where the government have reduced numbers

–         85% more on street lighting, making residents feel safer at night

–         30% more on community safety, including extra neighbourhood wardens and advice to keep you safe at home

–         13% more on CCTV to keep streets safe and provide evidence to convict criminals

–         31% on services like graffiti removal and cleaning up fly-tipping

Boosting local economies

Labour councils invest:

–         164% more on economic development per head, supporting the economic well-being of the area and boosting jobs and local business

–         238% more on community development per head, to promote social inclusion, build neighbourhood resources, and build stronger communities

–         75% more on economic research to drive local economic growth policy and strategy

–         More than twice as much to boost local tourism (131% more per head)

A bright future for every child

–         Labour councils spend 54% more per head than Conservative councils on SureStart children’s centres, supporting every child to thrive and arrive at school ready to learn

–         Conservative councils spend 15% less per head on youth services than Labour councils, leaving too many young people without positive activities in their local area

–         Every key service to protect children – from family support to child protection, and from youth justice to children in care – all see higher funding per head from Labour councils in comparison to Conservative councils

Getting the basics right

–         Labour councils invest 31% more in street cleansing than Conservative councils, including street sweeping and graffiti removal

–         Labour councils spend 83% more per head on structural maintenance of local roads, including resurfacing and pothole repair

–         Labour councils spend 36% less on costly landfill charges and other waste disposal costs – protecting public money AND the environment.

Climate change

–         Labour councils are spending more than double than Conservative councils on meeting the challenge of climate change (71% more per resident)

–         95% of Labour councils have formally declared a climate emergency and will meet the challenge of Net Zero ahead of the government’s target of 2050.

Culture, parks, and leisure

Labour councils spend more per head of population than Conservative councils on key culture and leisure services:

–         17% more per resident on library buildings and library services

–         Almost twice as much (97% more) on culture and heritage such as local museums, public entertainment, theatres, and arts development

–         37% more on keeping open spaces well looked after and open to the public, including local parks, playing fields, and play areas, as well as country parks and public allotments

–         64% more on sports, leisure and community facilities, including swimming pools, leisure centres, and grants to local sports clubs