Middlewich Residents Face 22% Tax Hike
Labour To Tax Middlewich To The Hilt
As the Parliamentary Spokesperson representing the Liberal Democrats in Middlewich, it is my role to scrutinise Labour's claim that they would not increase taxes for working people. However, they're doing it through council tax to extortionate degrees.
Labour were elected to Government on the promise of not increasing taxes for working people. They did not increase Income Tax, National Insurance for Employees, or VAT, but they are doing it through council tax, with significantly less scrutiny than they would be subjected to in Westmisnter.
If Cheshire East Council, the Police & Crime Commissioner, the Fire Service and Middlewich Town Council all apply the maximum tax rises available at their disposal, Band D council tax payers could see a tax hike that is ten times the rate of inflation.
I have written to our local Member of Parliament, Andrew Cooper, and Cllr Nick Mannion, leader of the Labour/Independent coaltion majority Cheshire East Council, to do what they can to ensure that Middlewich residents don't have to cover the cost of the council's budget deficit.
If you would like to add your signature to the letter below, please fill in this form at the bottom of this letter:
Dear Andrew Cooper and Cllr Mannion,
I am writing to express my grave concern about the possibility of Middlewich residents being asked to pay up to 9.99% more in council tax for the 2025/26 financial year. My concerns are outlined below:
Exceptional Financial Support for Local Authorities:
Under current legislation, local authorities can apply a maximum council tax increase of 4.99% per year, 2% of which must be allocated to adult social care. Any increases beyond this threshold typically require a referendum. However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) can impose such increases via statutory intervention under ministerial direction when granting exceptional financial support.
For those unfamiliar with secondary legislation, this effectively means that Government ministers can approve council tax rises without parliamentary approval. Although Cheshire East Council would still need to vote on such measures, a Labour-Independent coalition majority makes it likely they would be rubber-stamped unless there is dissent from within your own ranks.
Return on Investment:
While I acknowledge the financial pressures faced by local authorities, it is incomprehensible to double annual council tax increases while significantly reducing public services.
Middlewich residents have already endured the closure of their waste recycling centre due to cost-cutting measures. Furthermore, from April 2026, bin collections will be reduced from fortnightly to every three weeks, despite 84% of survey respondents opposing this change.
Transport:
Residents reliant on subsidised bus services in rural communities have seen these services reduced or removed altogether, increasing costs for struggling families. Those forced to commute to Middlewich town centre by car, now face newly introduced parking charges, contrary to the wishes of many Main Street business owners. These business owners fear the charges will deter customers and harm their sales, compounding their challenges, especially after recent increases in National Insurance contributions under this Labour Government.
Additionally, I fear that capital projects critical to Middlewich, such as the Middlewich Bypass and the new Mid Cheshire Hospital, may be delayed or cancelled if Government funds are diverted to provide exceptional financial support to Cheshire East Council. Without such infrastructure, our local economy will struggle to recover.
Policing and Other Precepts:
At the time of writing, Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner Dan Price is surveying residents about their willingness to pay more for policing through the policing precept. While MHCLG sets limits on such precepts, I hope they do not consider further increases, which would burden taxpayers even more.
Middlewich Town Council is also set to announce its proposed precept increase. Last year, I raised concerns about the lack of accountability in allowing town and parish councils to implement excessive precepts without oversight. Middlewich, in particular, imposed a 39.5% precept increase in 2024/25, with little tangible benefit for residents.
Proposed Increases for 2025/26:
Based on a projection that allows for maximum increases in both the core rate and precepts set, the council tax for a Band D property in Middlewich would be as follows:
- Cheshire East Council: A 9.99% increase on the 2024/25 charge of £1,792.59, resulting in approximately £1,972.
- Cheshire Police Precept: An increase of the maximum figure of £14 on the 2024/25 precept of £262.94, totalling £276.94.
- Cheshire Fire Precept: An increase of £5 on the 2024/25 precept of £82.48, totalling £87.48.
- Middlewich Town Council Precept: Assuming a repeat of the 39.5% increase on the 2024/25 precept of £10.81, resulting in approximately £15.08.
The total council tax for 2025/26 would therefore be approximately £2,351.50 for a Band D property, representing an increase of £438.09 (22.9%) from the 2024/25 total of £1,913.41. This is significantly higher than the inflation rate announced today of 2.4%
Andrew, as the Member of Parliament for Mid Cheshire, I urge you to use all available tools at your disposal—whether through a written question, Early Day Motion, urgent question, or discussions with your Labour colleagues—to protect Middlewich residents from this substantial financial burden.
Cllr Mannion, I implore you to explore alternative methods of addressing budget deficits, such as asset sales, salary reductions at the executive level, and voluntary reductions in councillor allowances, to minimise or eliminate the impact on Middlewich residents.
Labour campaigned on a promise not to raise taxes for working people, yet Middlewich residents will see the very opposite. Unilaterally approving these increases would betray the "Change" that Labour promised to their voters. If a Labour Government, a Labour Police & Crime Commissioner, and a Labour/Independent-majority council impose these measures, Middlewich residents will not forgive this at the ballot box.
Yours sincerely,
Jack Price-Harbach
Parliamentary Spokesperson for Mid Cheshire
Liberal Democrats