Small firms have had to struggle due to bureaucratic inertia by some councils. At least the culprits have been identified.
A less bureaucratic approach will ease hardship and bring more money in. But the Government also needs to ensure equal rules apply for all that are owed money.
Liverpool City Council has spent an average of £7,222 for each person who lost weight. Kensington and Chelsea has spent £9,957 for each person who drinks less alcohol.
In Hammersmith and Fulham, for example, the cost works out at £55,571 for each smoker who quit.
Ruth Davidson’s call for a London Manifesto misses the point that the boroughs have different needs.
The huge variation in costs does suggest that some councils, including mine, are likely to be paying over the odds.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council have scuppered an arrangement which saved money for it – as well as Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.
Moderate Labour councillors are generally proving craven about the threat that they face.
What we did in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Nobody will regard this highly paid left wing extremist as politically impartial.
A 58 per cent rise in the tax over the last two decades should serve as a warning against further hikes.