Six councils granted power to raise council tax without needing to consult residents

"From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging."

"Six councils in and around London have been granted the power to make bigger council tax hikes, after the government slashed their share of funding. Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, City of London, and Windsor and Maidenhead will all be allowed to raise council tax rates by more than 5 per cent for two years, without the need for a residents' referendum."

The Independent sends journalists to cover reproductive rights, climate change and Big Tech and produces documentaries such as 'The A Word' highlighting American women fighting for reproductive rights. The Independent investigates political and financial subjects including Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC and avoids paywalls, relying on donations to fund on-the-ground reporting. Six councils in and around London have been granted permission to raise council tax by more than 5 per cent for two years without a residents' referendum after government funding reductions. Those councils are among the lowest-tax areas and are facing cuts after funding was reallocated toward more deprived parts of England. The Tories have accused the government of trying to punish low-tax councils.

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