The doorstep of a Falkirk house held an unexpected sight – a 70-year-old woman in tears over the looming 16% council tax rise facing her and many others next month.
Falkirk is bracing for the UK’s largest increase in bills as the local authority grapples with rising costs.
One councillor overseeing the hikes has called in the police after receiving threats of violence and beheading taunts.
The area is going through its toughest period in three decades, leaving residents feeling vulnerable and neglected.
Councils are responsible for managing schools, social care, roads, and waste collection, among many other services.
However, local authorities in Britain are facing financial strains, raising questions about their long-term funding.
Sky News visited a street in Falkirk to gauge the atmosphere, and it was somber.
Going door to door on Wilson Road, the first encounter was with 70-year-old Catherine Mochar.
The unpaid carer was taken aback by the impending changes to her bill, becoming visibly distressed at the thought of finding more money in an already tight budget.
«It’s absolutely ridiculous,» she said, her voice breaking.
Ms Mochar, who cares for her elderly sister, shared that her care package was withdrawn as her sister was deemed capable of handling the situation herself.
Not eligible for a council tax exemption, she worries about covering the additional 15.6%.
«I am a pensioner. I don’t know where I am going to get it [the money] from. It is quite scary the thought of it,» she expressed.
Claire Hamilton and William Reid
Down the street from Catherine’s home, a family feels the pinch of paying more for dwindling returns.
Claire Hamilton and William Reid, parents to a three-year-old, rely on the local foodbank to make ends meet.
«It’s a choice between heating the house or paying council tax. Or buying food and paying council tax,» Claire remarked.
«It’s a significant increase for minimal benefits. The bin collections are becoming less frequent,» she noted.
Concerned about shielding their child from the underlying stresses, she added, «You want to provide the best for your child, and they are unaware of the pressures in the background.»
Council tax variations across the UK
A common grievance nationwide is the reduction in bin collections, contributing to the discourse on local services.
While council tax rates in Scotland have been frozen or capped for much of the past 20 years, this year the Scottish government has granted local authorities the autonomy to set their rates.
In England, there is a general cap preventing more than a 5% increase in council tax without a referendum to protect taxpayers from steep hikes.
The average increase in England is expected to be less than last year’s 5.1%, with some exceptions like Bradford, which is raising costs by 10%.
However, Falkirk stands out as the most extreme case in the UK.
Independent councillor Laura Murtagh
Independent councillor Laura Murtagh proposed the 15.6% increase, which was approved by most of her colleagues.
Councillor behind 15.6% rise seeks police intervention
She emphasizes that anything less than the increase she proposed would have led to severe cuts in services, including education.
However, this decision has taken a personal toll on her.
Ms Murtagh, who clarifies her intention to avoid further backlash, reveals she has reached out to the police following threats of violence and gruesome online taunts.
«It has made me reluctant to go out. It has made me hesitant to attend events.
«I am in contact with the police. The threats are disturbing.» There are individuals who have suggested that you might benefit from a kicking or something even more severe. Some are even sharing memes depicting violent acts like beheadings.
The situation in Falkirk is dire, with local leaders facing a significant crisis due to soaring service demands. The leader of Falkirk Council, Cecil Meiklejohn, justified the 15.6% council tax increase by stating the necessity to maintain quality services.
Residents like 70-year-old Catherine Mochar are deeply affected by the impending rise in council tax. Catherine, an unpaid carer, is struggling to cope with the additional financial burden. Similarly, families like Claire Hamilton and William Reid are feeling the pinch, forced to choose between essentials like heating and paying council tax.
In the UK, local authorities are grappling with financial challenges, leading to concerns about the sustainability of services. The issue of funding for local councils remains a critical point of discussion as communities face tough decisions amidst rising costs.
Despite these challenges, it is essential to consider the impact on individuals like Catherine and families like Claire’s when making decisions about council tax rates and service provision.
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Falkirk Council has recently implemented a drastic 15.6% increase in council tax, making it the most extreme case in the UK. This decision has raised concerns and sparked controversy among residents, especially those who are already struggling financially.
The council’s leader, Cecil Meiklejohn, defended the steep hike by emphasizing the need to maintain quality services and generate revenue locally. However, many residents like Catherine Mochar, a 70-year-old carer, are feeling the burden of this increase. Catherine, who looks after her elderly sister, expressed distress at the prospect of finding extra money in her tight budget to cover the additional costs.
Similarly, Claire Hamilton and William Reid, a young family with a three-year-old son, are also feeling the pinch. They rely on the local foodbank to make ends meet and now face the dilemma of choosing between paying council tax, heating their home, or buying food.
The situation in Falkirk reflects a larger issue of cash-strapped local authorities in the UK, with many struggling to meet the growing demand for services. The council tax increase has left residents feeling vulnerable and neglected, with concerns about the sustainability of funding for essential services like education and social care.
Amidst the financial strain, Independent councillor Laura Murtagh, who initiated the 15.6% increase, has faced personal threats and online harassment, including violent taunts and beheading memes. She has had to involve the police for her safety, highlighting the intense backlash and hostility surrounding the council tax hike.
As the community grapples with the implications of the unprecedented increase, local leaders are emphasizing the necessity of raising council tax to maintain essential services. However, the impact on vulnerable residents like Catherine, Claire, and William underscores the challenges and sacrifices that come with such drastic measures.
The story of Falkirk’s council tax hike serves as a stark reminder of the complex issues facing local authorities in the UK and the difficult decisions they must make to balance budgets and provide vital services to their communities. The wait for bin collections keeps getting longer and longer.»
She continues: «You want to do the best for your child, and they are not aware of the stresses happening in the background.»
Variation in Council Tax Across the UK
A common complaint across the UK is the reduced frequency of bin collections, contributing to the ongoing discussion about local services.
In Scotland, council tax rates have remained frozen or capped for most of the past two decades, but this year, the Scottish government has granted local authorities the power to make their own decisions.
In England, there is a principle that typically limits council tax increases to 5% without a referendum, to protect taxpayers from excessive hikes.
It is expected that the average increase in England will not exceed last year’s total of 5.1%. Some exceptions include Bradford, which is raising costs by 10%.
However, Falkirk stands out as the most extreme case in the UK.
Independent councillor Laura Murtagh proposed a 15.6% increase, which was ultimately approved by most of her colleagues.
Councillor Facing Backlash for 15.6% Increase Seeks Police Help
She emphasizes that anything less than the proposed increase would have led to severe cuts in services, including education.
However, this decision has come at a personal cost.
Ms. Murtagh, who stresses that she does not want to incite further aggression, has contacted police after receiving threats of violence and online taunts, including depictions of beheadings.
She said: «The threats have made me fearful of going out in public or attending events.
«I am in contact with the police. The threats are vicious, with people suggesting physical harm or worse.
«There are even memes circulating with beheading references.»
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Local leaders argue that their rates have been significantly lower than neighboring areas for years, which is unsustainable as demand for services continues to rise.
When asked if she could justify the 15.6% increase, Falkirk Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn told Sky News: «It is a significant rise. We knew that council tax needed to increase.
«We understand the importance of providing high-quality services, and the only way to do that locally is by raising council tax.»
She added: «We will work with those affected by the increase.»
