Decision to delay council tax shake-up in Wales is ‘absurd’, says IFS

In the Senedd, Welsh Labour finance spokesperson Huw Thomas accused Plaid of failing to back progressive policies in government.

Thomas said: “In opposition, Plaid claimed the moral high ground on this issue; in their manifesto they promised action.

“This retreat today isn’t just hypocritical, it shows political and moral cowardice.”

Reform UK Wales’ finance spokesman Cai-Parry Jones said he welcomed the pause, but said: “Kicking this into the long grass and breaking their manifesto pledge provides no certainty for households worried about rising council tax bills.

“Reform cannot support measures that could leave hard-working people facing higher bills,” he added, and called for referendums for increases more than 4.99%.

Sam Rowlands, Welsh Conservative finance spokesman, said: “It is clear that another revaluation would increase council tax bills at a time when household budgets are under significant strain.

“Instead of this cynical decision to simply delay this council tax bombshell, Plaid Cymru ministers should scrap it altogether.

“Council tax bills are already out of control in many parts of Wales. Instead of pushing households into higher bands, we need a cap on council tax bills at 5% and force a local referendum if any council attempts to breach the cap.”

Councillor Anthony Hunt, leader of the Welsh Local Government Association and leader of Torfaen council, said: “Everyone agrees that we must look for ways to make council tax fairer.”

He added: “Local government needs time to properly consider the announcement and what it means for the future of council tax in Wales.”