‘I had to learn very quickly’: Reform UK leader, 19, defends council tax rise

Party accused of breaking election promise – but officials in Warwickshire say George Finch’s 3.89% rise still not enough to balance budget

The 19-year-old leader of a Reform-led council has defended proposals for a 3.89% council tax rise, despite senior officers saying anything less than 5% would put the financial viability of the local authority at risk.

Financial executives at Warwickshire county council said in December that the proposed increase was a “riskier financial strategy” that would threaten the medium-term sustainability of the local authority.

Reform UK’s position on council tax has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks after the party was accused of betraying its election promise to reduce taxes. At least four of the 10 councils the party controls had proposed 5% council tax rises, the maximum permitted by law, at the beginning of this year.

George Finch, who has led a minority government at Warwickshire county council since he was appointed leader in July, defended proposals to increase council tax by 3.89%.