Reform-led council set for England's largest tax rise despite pledge to cut rates

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"Reform-led Worcestershire County Council will issue the biggest council tax rise in England this April after the government gave it special permission to raise it by up to 9 per cent despite the party's pledge to slash rates. The local authority had applied for exceptional financial support after its newly-appointed head of strategic delivery, operations, governance, and efficiency (Doge) said it was facing a financial emergency."

The Independent requests donations to fund on-the-ground reporting across issues such as reproductive rights, climate change and Big Tech while keeping content free of paywalls. The organisation says donations pay for journalists to speak to both sides and that trusted, widely accessible journalism should be supported by those who can afford it. Worcestershire County Council applied for exceptional financial support and received government permission to raise its council tax by up to 9 per cent amid a reported financial emergency. Several other councils received varying permissions to raise their shares beyond the 5 per cent limit.

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