A West London council opposition leader has said the Government’s Fair Funding proposals would be ‘catastrophic’ for his borough and would punish “hard working taxpayers.” Cllr Jose Afonso, who leads the Conservative group in Hammersmith and Fulham, has called for the Government to re-think the proposed changes to council funding rules, which he said would have a “negative impact” locally.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said Cllr Afonso’s comments were “purely speculation”, adding the plans represent a fairer system for councils while the Government continues to protect people from “excessive council tax rises.”

The proposed new system , to be phased in over three years from 2026, is intended to redistribute funding among councils

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