Labour MP demands higher rates increases

Stuff reports:

Christchurch Central’s Labour MP has accused city leaders of supporting a “1980s-style austerity” budget that will cost thousands of jobs and damage the city for years to come.

Duncan Webb blasted Christchurch City Council on Tuesday for proposing to cut its capital programme by $168 million, and increase rates by just 3.5 per cent instead of the 4.65 per cent, proposed before the Covid-19 crisis.

Families and businesses in Christchurch have had their incomes slashed, and Duncan Webb is complaining that the Council is only putting up rates by 3.5%.

It shows how out of touch some MPs are from the reality of struggling families and businesses.

It also shows economic stupidity. Increasing taxes during a recession actually causes the recession to deepen.