CREWE and Nantwich residents face a barrage of hikes in local taxes under Government plans, warns local MP Edward Timpson.

He said a new Labour Party manifesto for a ‘fourth term’ has outlined proposals to introduce higher council tax bands, as well as above-inflation rises in businesses on local firms.

The manifesto calls for a council tax revaluation and higher council tax bands.

But after studying the proposals Mr Timpson believes that more homes would be sucked into the higher bands, and the amount that higher bands pay would also increase.

He said: “Council tax bills in Cheshire East have more than doubled since 1997, taking the bill on a Band D home to £1,420.

“This new system could mean that council tax bills in Cheshire East may reach as much as £7,569.

“I fear that new council tax bands will be used to punish families and pensioners who have saved and invested in their homes.”

And he warned that it was not just homeowners who stood to lose out.

He added: “During a recession we need to protect small businesses in Crewe and Nantwich, and raising business rates above the rate of inflation will not do that.

"I have already had to help businesses in Crewe town centre crippled by rising rates."