LABOUR finance chiefs have launched a broadside against the increase in the latest council tax bills which they claim is one of the highest in England.

The Labour group's finance chief, Cllr Ian Barker, claims that figures released from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions reveal that of the country's 238 shire districts, Lancaster's was the 10th highest.

Cllr Barker explained that the increase in the city was double that of any other authority in the county.

"These figures show the true extent of the Independent and Tory stealth taxes," he claimed.

"They are hiding behind the much smaller increases of the county, Police Authority and the parishes, hoping people won't notice," he added. "In reality they have raised taxes faster than any other district council in Lancashire." Cllr Barker says the Independents have failed in their claim to improve finances and have , made them much worse by overspending their budget in the first year.

"These massive council taxes are the result," he says.

But Cllr Barker's claims have not impressed either the Tories or the Independents.

Roger Mace for the Conservatives commented: "There is no alliance between our two parties and we have offered objective criticism of the Independent budget proposals. We saw nothing from the Labour group - where are their proposals?"

MBI leader Tricia Heath said she regretted any increase in local taxes but said they had been caused directly by the failed election ploy of Labour's former leaders Stan Henig, attempting to buy votes with a zero increase last year, together with the massive losses Labour had incurred during a series of disastrous blunders including Blobbygate, Salt Ayre and Civic Illuminations.

This year they had been left with no option but to increase the taxes in a bid to maintain services, she said.

"Unlike Labour who not long ago raised taxes by a massive 17 per cent, not near election times of course, and the high taxing Labour county chiefs, the Independent group will ensure that this council is run economically in future, without the need for great tax increases."