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Boris cuts City Hall's share of council tax to trump Ken's fares pledge
Peter Dominiczak, City Hall Correspondent1 Feb 2012
Boris Johnson today cut his share of council tax for the first time in a move that he claimed was a break from the "contempt for London taxpayers" shown by his rival Ken Livingstone.
The Mayor said he plans to cut the "precept", which funds Transport for London, the fire authority, the Met Police and the Olympics, by one per cent in the next financial year.
In December Mr Johnson announced he was only intending to freeze council tax in his latest budget. The cut will be seen as a move to counter Mr Livingstone's pledge to slash fares by seven per cent if elected, which has seen the Labour candidate take a two-point lead in recent polls.
Although allies admitted that the financial savings of Mr Johnson's tax cut will not be significant - less than £5 per year for a Band D household - they said it is an attempt to underline the differences between the two candidates. The proposed council tax precept will fall from £309.82 to £306.72.
But experts today warned that the tax cut would have a smaller impact on voters than the fares cut promised by Mr Livingstone.
The Mayor told the Standard today: "This represents a decisive break with the past. The end of an era where arrogant politicians showed contempt for London taxpayers.
"I won't take a penny off Londoners more than I need to deliver what is vital for their economic well being, quality of life and the future success of the city. Every penny that does not do that should be back where it belongs - in the pockets of our people."
Mr Livingstone increased council tax by 153 per cent over his eight years as Mayor, which Mr Johnson claims has cost the average London household £964. Mr Johnson said that because of his council tax policy, the average Londoner will have saved £445.07 over his four years as Mayor.
Tony Travers, of the London School of Economics, said: "Very few people disentangle what part of the bill comes from the Mayor and what comes from the boroughs. The impact will be much smaller politically than the fares cut."
Mr Livingstone hit back today and said: "This is just £3.10 a year, whereas I will save Londoners on average £1,000 over four years by cutting the fares on October 7 this year."
Lib-Dem candidate Brian Paddick said: "The London Liberal Democrats have a fully costed proposal to reduce council tax by 3 per cent. As a Liberal Democrat Mayor I am determined to make a real difference to Londoners, not just token gestures.
"Whilst any reduction in council tax is welcome I'm not going to spend too long working out how I would spend my extra £3.10 a year."
Green Party candidate Jenny Jones added: "This is gesture politics, which does next to nothing for hard pressed Londoners.
"Households will save 6p a week in council tax, compared to the extra £2.50 a week that a typical household are paying this year in higher fares."
Reader views (38)
What use is Boris stale cashew nut to Commuters and TFL users who know he has 4 years supply of coconuts to throw at them!!!
No doubt the real aim of this silly £3.10 a year cut is then to say Ken increased Council tax even if he just returned it to its current level and the Tory press media simply ignored the difference.
I reckon Ken should adopt the slogan and play the tune "Mayor on the Run!!".
Just think how big the cut would have been had Boris not abolished the WEZ everyone could have had enough to pay for both ways using a cash bus fare. Its worth remembering that with Ken you could have bought a 1 day bus pass something Boris abolished!!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 02/02/2012 12:04
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Robert Marshall (16.41 01/02/2012) should check his facts before committing his fingers to the keyboard. Households paying rent are responsible for paying the Council Tax (unless the law pertaining to local taxation in London is different to elsewhere in the UK).
I think Not.
- Gordon T Pomfret, Coventry, UK, 02/02/2012 03:25
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Funny how when Livingstone lies about cuts he won't make, it's called an "election promise" by the left, but when Boris actually makes cuts it's called a "bribe".
I'd feel sorry for the lefties if they weren't so dangerous.
- ST, Not London, 01/02/2012 22:05
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Vote Boris.
- Fresh, London, 01/02/2012 20:45
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Fresh, London
Wow! Ken Livingstone as I live and breathe. How can I tell? The absence of a personality and with a name like Fresh? Must still live in the eighties. Ken, go back to the care home. You retired at the last election.
- dave, London, 01/02/2012 20:29
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Blimey just read the totally un biased Sarah sands on Ken ... Don't laugh at Boris laugh with him , his hair is great , he has the body of an Adonis , looks of hero , steel jaw , fed the starving , housed the homeless , bashed the unions , and £3.10 cash back ...... For some reason she didn't mention he wears his pants outside his trousers ... Now that would be funny .
- Tory Rory, London, 01/02/2012 20:07
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i'm gonna save it for when he puts the congestion charge up
- rita metermaid, london, 01/02/2012 19:30
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What jaundiced remarks from the obsessive user of Red, derogatively, who roosts in Muswell 'ill. Well-educated Boris's colourful, blue-veined blustering, publicity pontificating, posturings for Press Cameras, albeit amusing, will fail to resolve Congestion and Urgent Transport needs..Boris has exacerbated them, cancelling Ken's Trams, abolishing fleets of high-capacity artics, and profligately spending on eight "Tinge of Retro-ism" UN-needed Boris-Meisters.
- Carl Engels, Highgate Gardens, 01/02/2012 19:14
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Why do people think that these two are the only choice for mayor of London? I'll be voting for Paddick as at least he not these two and you know what? He's actually reached the top of the Met police whilst actually being homosexual through his abilities, and we all know the Met police ain't great with minorities. He's achieved something outside politics whilst these are just career politicians who pas your vote around like a football between themselves. Don't be so narrow minded as to think there is only labour or the tories. That the bloody problem with this country. voters won't give some other party a chance to step to the challenge
- Stephen Flaherty, London, 01/02/2012 19:01
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Just off out to buy a kobi steak and a bottle of petrus with my £3.10 .. What will you do with yours ?
- Tory Rory, London, 01/02/2012 18:46
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It took Boris to remove those idiotic bendy buses.
- P.L., London, 01/02/2012 18:31
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Dr Livingstone i presume, the former Mayor who did so much for londoners. £8 a pop to drive per day was a real vote winner. Candidates are not measured by most on a purely financial basis although,we undoubtedly vote for our own preferred person based on self.
Livingstone does not represent me in any way and made a fool of himself on more than one occasion during his tenure particularly the 'nazi' jibe. An accident that has already happened and he should be avoided at all costs.
- arnold lane, barking, 01/02/2012 18:19
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I think you'll find that Boris can sometimes be found in "City Hall", when he's not busy writing for the Torygraph or galavanting around the planet.
- Arfur Towcrate, Waddon
...or bonking his mistress...
- ID, South Coast, UK, 01/02/2012 18:04
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By implication, doesn't this mean Boris is also admitting to "contempt for London commuters"? He says he's saved households nearly £500 over 4 years, but his fare increases will cost the average household A LOT MORE than £500 over 4 years!!!
- Tom, London, 01/02/2012 17:57
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Thanks for the "muppet" comment Hades, hardly intelligent or even humorous input.
For the record, the Pigeons ARe able to spend the £3.10 windfall on two bags of feed, check it out. The point is that this huge amount really amounts to nothing at all.
Never mind "muppets", our soon-to-be ex-Mayor will soon be able to return to Fraggle Rock.
- Fresh, London, 01/02/2012 17:43
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Oh, what a pathetic pre-election bribe - as a Band C householder, Boris Johnson would save me TWO POUNDS SEVENTY-FIVE PENCE PER ANNUM.
In 2010 the daily off-peak Oyster cap for Zones 2-6 was £5.10 - it is now £8.50 - this ridiculous amount wouldn't even save me the difference on ONE day's travel per year!
- Helen, West London, 01/02/2012 17:40
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This is all just smoke and mirrors... who is to say that these candidates will keep their "promises" after being elected mayor? Its alright for politician Y to say they can cut X, but once they get into office, the reality will be that they financially can't.
To choose who to vote for, look for a genuine candidate who you trust to deliver what's best for London - and not in it just to win the election.
- Boon, London, 01/02/2012 16:48
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The vast majority of people in London rent so the issue of council tax is academic. When faced with a saving of travel, against no reduction at all its obvious who prefers what, That doesn't need analysis from experts as Peter Dominiczak alludes to. Its just stating the ruddy obvious.
Personally I wish Boris and Ken shacked up together and we all got on with life.
But given the simple question will London gain by Boris or Ken then its clear cut Ken will do more for London and London will be prepared to pay, becuase he has shown that investment in serious projects not cycle lanes that kill 6 people make a difference to everyone
- Robert Marshall, London, 01/02/2012 16:41
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Fresh, London - What a muppet you are.
- Hades, London, 01/02/2012 16:36
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A great article that clearly defines my election winning strategy. Ken must be quaking in his boots at this brilliant move by my team to enhance the wealth of Londoners. 6p a week will certainly make a big difference to us cockneys, but of course I'll have to charge you an extra £2.50 a week on higher fares but as you know 'Every little helps'. Must go, I've just got to top up my tan on the beach.
- Boris Conman, Plage des Salines, Martiniques, Caribbean., 01/02/2012 16:20
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The Pidgeons of Muswell Hill...re-defining the meaning of the word "fact", and the word "sane".
But then again, you can buy two bags of "Peck 'n' Mix Special Blend" on the RSPB website for the £3.10 Boris is claiming to save us.
Not quite the "chickenfeed" Boris is used to, but clearly enough to turn the head of a Pidgeon.
- Fresh, London, 01/02/2012 16:02
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As I have said before if these are the ONLY 2 candidates what a choice!
Neither would get my vote except maybe on a TV special called "Who is the biggest two faced twit with hair brained schemes?"
Red Ken has been there, done that and failed. Boris has tried this and that - all of which have been disastrous!
- peter, Vienna, Austria, 01/02/2012 15:56
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Even i cant believe how right i have been on this entire campaign.
I might think of running for Mayor myself.
Here are the facts.
Red Ken says he will cut your fares in the first year.
Now even Red Kenneth himself would admit he is a bit slippery and he has loads of form for lying and arrogance .
He has treated the voters with absolute contempt ,as soon as he is in.
So you have to ask yourself what will happen after the first year cut.
He will by then have his feet under the table,Mrs Red Ken will be trousering 150k plus , Lee Jasper the same.
Probably fares go up quite a bit but he will blame it on lack of investment etc.
Now in the meantime you will see a record rise in your council taxes.
Boris has not put them up for 4 years and so Red Ken and his pals will see this as open season on the people they detest the most.
Thats you the voters.
Now to be fair to Red Ken he has some big ideas for London after the Olympics are over.
I have it from his own election team that Red Ken will invite the Mullahs from Iran over to London for a specially arranged tv spectacular of Strictly Come Dancing.
Red Ken himself i can reveal will be partered by Lee Jasper.
The little guy from North korea will be coming over and he will dance with the chief Mullah and he has agreed to wear one of his dad's old Chairman Mao suits.
Now this alone should get red Ken quite few votes from Melvin etc.
Boris is not on the same page when it comes to an idea like this from Ken
RED KEN WILL RAISE YOUR TAXES
- the pigeons, Muswell hill, 01/02/2012 15:06
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Wow, £3.10.
To put that into context;
On average, that's pretty much what the Telegraph pays Boris to write a word and a half.
I could get one single (cash) bus fare for that. But I'd have to walk back.
I could of course jump on a Barclays Bike but I'd have to make sure to return it within an hour or end up being out of pocket.
Or I could get on a cab, and get off about 2 minutes later.
Which ever way you look at it, it's hardly going to make a dent in my annual commuting cost.
I could of course save myself hundreds by not voting for Boris, or Boris could donate the proceeds of a paragraph in his next Telegraph article to me.
There's one thing I can't seem to quantify though; If Boris reckons £250,000 is "chicken-feed", then what should we call £3.10?
- Fresh, London, 01/02/2012 14:48
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Livingstone never reduced anything, if he had been in power in the last four years council tax would have gone up my 5% a year or more,by not putting it up Boris has ineffect reduced the tax, remember nearly every other council put it up. Ask Ken how much he will reduce it you will get no answer.
- peter, london, 01/02/2012 14:23
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When will Boris take a wage cut.
- Louis statham, Salisbury United Kingdom, 01/02/2012 14:16
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One gets the feeling that Boris's mayoral campaign is being run from the evening standards editorial office.
Altogether now team, Boris good, Ken bad. Anything other than that will be edited out.
- jimmy, Camden Town, 01/02/2012 14:08
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Tony Travers is not impartial. You should point that out; he is making a political point, not an impartial observation.
- D. Short, Tunis, 01/02/2012 13:37
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What Ken promises to give with one hand he will take with the other. In other words yes travellers will benefit from lower fares, but people that live within London will pay for it with large council tax increases. So it is only those outside of London who benefit.
Please people of London do not vote for Ken he is a dinosaur that should be consigned to the History Books.
- Einstein, London, 01/02/2012 13:30
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Both of these men are unelectable clowns and it is a sad state of affairs that none of the other candidates running, primarily Brian Paddick, will have a chance at winning.
It is also sad that the pool of candidates for these elections is essentially the same as it was last time. That hardly inspires anyone to bother voting.
As for the "tax cut", wow £3.10 for the whole year? Really Boris? Really? Wow.
- EuroLND, London, 01/02/2012 13:03
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Bob, London – all those commuters from outside London are working in businesses that generate tax revenues for London and the Treasury, those tourists and day trippers boost the economy. Cheaper transport offers far greater benefits than a £3.80 cut to the average annual council tax bill.
- ASLEF shrugged, East London, 01/02/2012 12:46
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If you listen to what Boris said about this he seemed embarrassed admitting it was a gimmick.
- Eltham John, London, 01/02/2012 12:45
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@ Bob re "lets keep Boris in County Hall!"
Let me bring you up to date.
"County Hall" is the former home of the GLC, and "thanks" to Thatcher, was sold off to private developers when she abolished our capital's democracy in 1986.
I think you'll find that Boris can sometimes be found in "City Hall", when he's not busy writing for the Torygraph or galavanting around the planet.
- Arfur Towcrate, Waddon, actually, 01/02/2012 12:45
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So Boris will save us a tenna and Ken will save us 70 pounds.Tough decision to make.
Cant wait to see the Conservative Evening Standards next Anti Ken,Pro Boris story tomorrow.
- dave, london, 01/02/2012 12:42
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A 'hotting-up' of the pre-election War of P.R. Hand-outs, continues un-abated.
Ken has a proven-record of positive actions for continuous Tfl improvements.
Boris has an opposite track-record:
Destroying the advantages of the now disposed-of artic bus fleets, obsessively spending many millions on the Borissimo-double-deckers, undoing congestion efforts, depriving South London of Tram Services, i.e. a continuum of erratic ill-decisions.
- Peter Grafton, Chelsea, 01/02/2012 12:36
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Ken's cut in fares will benefit commuters from outside London, Tourists, visitors and those who live in London and use TFL. Boris plan will benefit Londoners who pay Council Tax, why should Londoners subsidise those who don't life within the GLA? Ken is a danger to London with his policies, lets keep Boris in County Hall!
- Bob, London, 01/02/2012 12:22
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Another ridiculous gimmick from Boris.
- Richard, Hoxton, 01/02/2012 12:13
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Boris will stick it up again if he's re-elected.
- Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher, 01/02/2012 12:12
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