The Labour party has welcomed the county's lowest-ever council tax increase - and claimed credit for the record-breaking rise.
Opposition leaders claimed the people of Essex were "thanking the Labour government" for the 4.7 per cent increase announced by Conservative chief Lord Hanningfield yesterday.
Labour's Paul Sztumpf blamed the Tories for a 16.7 per cent hike last year, branding it "outrageous and indefensible", and attacked the "huge attack" on services including school transport and old people's homes.
The Conservatives say they were forced to raise council tax and make cuts after funding from central government was slashed. But the ruling Conservatives say the new budget is the result of months of careful planning
Published Wednesday January 21, 2004
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