The UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) has warned Wandsworth Council that its claim of freezing council tax for four consecutive years may mislead residents. The Labour-run council advertised the freeze in leaflets, press releases, and social media videos, but the UKSA said the claim did not meet standards for public use of statistics.
While the council froze its core council tax, overall bills rose by about 3%, including a 2% adult social care precept and a 4% increase for the Greater London Authority. Two senior Conservatives, Lord Udny-Lister and Sir Paul Beresford, argued the borough could not claim a freeze due to these increases.
UKSA chief Ms Young wrote to council leader Simon Hogg, stating that communications were unclear. She said people would likely understand 'frozen' to mean no increase in their total bill, but the council's materials lacked important context about other charges. This, she said, had the potential to mislead taxpayers.
The council responded that it had made clear the main element was frozen and would reflect on the UKSA's observations. A spokesperson added that Wandsworth sets the lowest council tax in the country and has frozen it for four years, alongside other achievements like reducing fly-tipping and improving air quality.
