Luke Akehurst: Why Reform in Durham is hitting the poorest first

The Reduction Scheme was introduced by Labour in 2013, when we controlled Durham County Council, to protect the least well-off from the regressive impact of Council Tax, which is not usually a fair, income-related tax.

There will be people affected across the county, but particularly large numbers of existing claimants are in the towns of Stanley, Peterlee, Bishop Auckland, and Ferryhill.

In their responses to my letter, the Reform council leaders have tried to blame central government, the local council Special Educational Needs (SEND) crisis, and council officials for having to make these decisions.

The political leadership at County Hall need to take responsibility for things done in their name. You cannot hide behind your officials when you are the elected councillors. Blaming central government for their local choice not to raise Council Tax for everyone but instead to remove protections from the least well-off households is unacceptable. In terms of the SEND crisis, this is a national issue which the government is presenting a way forward on this in the autumn.

I wrote to the leader because they invited comments and submissions to the consultation.

One aspect of their response, on postage and wasted expenditure, makes sense. It is sensible not to be overly bureaucratic, so I supported this move. But no one is forcing them to also hit the least well off.

I have been a councillor myself so I do understand the need to find savings and make difficult decisions, but I believe that your values should dictate where you get those savings. Because Council Tax is regressive, it already hurts the least well off the most and removing protections for these people by up to £25 per week is not acceptable.

It is very telling that only four months into their term of office, they are hitting low earners, which is something they said they would not do.

So far, I am bitterly underwhelmed by their leadership of the council. They have mostly focussed on symbolic fights that have made no difference to improving the delivery of public services, nor do they bring jobs into our local economy.

Part of my job as local MP is to try to make sure that everything I do reflects the values of social justice of the Labour Party I am a part of, so, of course, I oppose the changes proposed, and will continue to oppose this at every opportunity.

I urge Durham residents to respond to the consultation online before the deadline of September 26.

2025: