How Council Tax reform signals fairer future for Blackpool

For too long, places like Blackpool have been forced to operate under a broken and outdated system – one that penalised deprivation, overlooked coastal economies and left local councils struggling just to keep the lights on.

That changes now.

The government has a bold and long-overdue step to reform the way councils are funded. At last, the days of a rigged formula that rewarded the wealthiest areas and punished communities in greatest need are numbered.

Blackpool knows too well the consequences of the old system. We’ve seen our libraries close, our parks neglected and our vital local services cut back year after year. While wealthier councils in more affluent parts of the country benefited from an outdated funding model, towns like ours were left to pick up the pieces – with less money and more challenges.

Under Labour’s new plans, fairness is back at the heart of local government. The funding formula will finally reflect the real pressures that places like Blackpool face. That includes not just higher levels of deprivation and greater demand for social care, but also the seasonal costs that come with being a popular tourist destination. When millions visit our town each year, it puts extra pressure on bins, streets and emergency services. That impact has been completely ignored – until now.

This reform will change that. It recognises that coastal towns aren't second-class communities. We have unique challenges and we deserve a funding system that reflects them.

Alongside this, the government is also taking action to support those struggling to pay council tax – ending the punitive and sometimes devastating practice of forcing residents to pay a full year’s bill upfront if they miss just one payment. Labour’s new rules will require councils to work with residents, offer payment plans and help people stay on their feet, not punish them with bailiffs and demands they can’t meet.

It’s a simple principle – people deserve support, not threats, especially during a cost-of-living crisis.

These change signal a fairer future for Blackpool – implemented by a government choosing to listen to communities like ours, trust local councils with greater flexibility and deliver funding based on need.

After years of being sidelined, Blackpool is finally being seen and heard. With this new approach, we have the chance to build a better Blackpool.

This is fairness in action. And for Blackpool, it’s long overdue.