Council rates hike opposed by People Before Profit
'In hardship emergency hikes on struggling households and organisations cannot be justified' - Shaun Harkin
The position of Derry's political parties regarding Rates are hardening, in advance of the Final Briefing Rates meeting.
The meeting is taking place this afternoon (Friday) in advance of the actual rate being struck next week.
Speaking to Derry Now, People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin said: "People Before Profit councillors will not back a Council rates hike. The Council should not implement Tory austerity.
"We're in a hardship emergency and don't believe further hikes on struggling households and organisations can be justified.
"Ratepayers shouldn't be forced to pay the price for corporate profiteering facilitated by Westminster and Stormont.
"Throughout the pandemic there was government intervention to protect Council's, businesses and jobs - it's absolutely no different now.
"In November, councillors gave unanimous support to a People Before Profit motion committing them to avoiding an unfair rates hike, Council service cuts and price hikes. All the mainstream parties on Council trampled over this commitment. When everyone is saying enough is enough, repeating the Tory line "there is no alternative" isn't acceptable."
Cllr Harkin said food prices were continuing to rise.
He added: "Mortgage rates are going up again. Energy prices are still at an all time high.
"The vast majority of people can't get a pay rise and there's been very little government hardship help, while energy companies and banks post record profits.
"The Tories are demanding pay cuts and vicious austerity. We refuse to go along with this."