Latest news with #FirstMinisters
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
First ministers meetings produce megaproject list for feds
First ministers meetings produce megaproject list for feds A message of unity emerged out of meetings between the first ministers and prime minister, as did a wish list for megaprojects wanted across the country.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Holt affirms interest in national energy corridor
At a first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says a national energy corridor could help improve coast-to-coast relations.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ontario, Saskatchewan sign free trade agreement in effort to boost economy amid Canada-U.S. tensions
Prior to a meeting of Canada's First Ministers in Saskatoon on Monday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an agreement to unlock free trade between the provinces on Sunday.
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Give public say on council tax hikes, say Welsh Tories
Wales' first minister has dismissed a Conservative call for the public to have a direct say on council tax First Ministers Questions, Tory Senedd leader Darren Millar asked for local referendums if "excessive increases are proposed" by local authorities, arguing people in Wales are seeing big bill increases whilst their services are Eluned Morgan said people in Wales "get a lot more lot more in certain areas than you do in England".In Wales, local authorities are increasing 2025-26 bills by between 5% and 9.2%. In England council tax rises above 4.99% require approval in a local referendum, unless government authorisation is given. Challenging the first minister, Millar said "many taxpayers are galled" by the "big increases in their bills while they see local services cut, facilities such as libraries, public toilets, leisure facilities and community centres are being closed"."People in Wales now pay more as a percentage of their income in council tax than over the border in England, in spite of the fact that they have lower incomes here in Wales."He asked why the Welsh government was denying Welsh council tax payers a say in a England "when excessive increases are proposed" councils have to "put it to a vote in a local referendum", he said."Why is it that you are denying that opportunity to council taxpayers here in Wales?" 'No cap on care' The first minister insisted that Welsh council tax payers get more for their money, using a cap on care costs as an Wales, no-one who is eligible for care at home is expected to pay more than £100 a week towards the costs."There is no cap on care in England. People are pushed into paying thousands of pounds a week", said Morgan."That doesn't happen here in Wales, but there is a cost to it, and it is important people recognize that there is a relationship between taxation and what you get in terms of public services."She dismissed the idea of a referendum saying that people already had their say during the English local elections in May, Morgan said "you're going to get an election, and we are looking forward to seeing how well you do in those elections"."The system in England has been absolutely hollowed out after 14 years of austerity, and you will be getting your comeuppance in the elections very, very soon." Individual councils set council tax rates, but the Welsh government can cap council rises that are deemed "excessive", although this has never taxes provides around 27% of local authorities' funding, which pays for services such as social care, education, waste collection and leisure anyone who is over 18 and owns or rents a home has to pay council there are some exemptions and average band D council tax in Wales for 2025-26 is £2,170.
