Local authority leaders criticise Sunak’s call for ‘restrained’ council tax rises

Rishi Sunak said on Friday: ‘It’s important that councils manage the cost of living for their residents.’ Photograph: Ian Forsyth/PA

Council leaders in England have criticised Rishi Sunak for demanding that local authorities show “restraint” in putting up council tax bills, saying the government is to blame for underfunding.

The prime minister on Friday called for authorities to be “restrained in the council tax rises they put in place”, saying it was “incumbent on local councils to be respectful of the demands on people’s family budgets”.