This week I found myself agreeing with Sir Keir Starmer when he lamented the Conservative government for imposing a regressive council tax increase on residents.

However, it left me wondering why in local authorities like ours, his party only last month hiked council tax by close to six per cent when the Labour mayor of London’s element is factored in. The hypocrisy is staggering, given that the option to halve the rise by dipping into the substantial £94 million I have calculated in revenue reserves exists in Brent.

Let’s not forget, these reserves only exist as local people have been contributing to various pots of money over many years. Why does the administration continue to hoard taxpayers’ money? And why is there so little transparency about where and when they plan to spend it?

Last month at full council I proposed using just a fraction of our reserves to halve the rise in council tax and to invest in the things that local people care about. Cleaner and safer streets, grants for youth sports and leisure activities, seeking to close the digital divide.

I do wonder whether the Labour council are actually planning a council tax reduction next year, in time for the local elections. But perhaps I’m just being cynical.

At a time like this, we need to be protecting our community from further financial burden and providing as much support as possible as we begin to recover.

Those in power both in Brent and Westminster could and should be doing so much more.