Council tax and personal allowance income tax freeze 'double whammy' for Burnley workers says council leader

Labour's Coun. Mark Townsend said that Chancellor Rishi Sunak's proposed Council Tax increase and a freeze on the personal tax allowance would hit Burnley people in the pockets at a time when many have struggled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Coun. Townsend did, however, welcome the extension of support for people and businesses through the furlough scheme.

He said: "I welcome the extension of support for people and businesses through the pandemic.

"However, it is the wrong time to increase taxes so I’m disappointed that the Chancellor has decided to continue with the imposed council tax increase and to freeze income tax allowances that will directly hit the pockets of all working families in Burnley.

"This is a double whammy for those key workers who we’ve relied on so much over the last 12 months who already face a government imposed pay freeze."