“End the Rat Tax” say Southwark Lib Dems as rat infestations increase by 90% after council doubled inspection fee

Last month, a Freedom of Information request from Direct Line Group revealed that Southwark experienced 16,664 rat infestations throughout 2022 – the second most of any local authority.

This was an increase of 90% from the previous year in which there were 8,761 rat infestations – the largest increase of any local authority in the top 10 for infestations.

The Southwark Lib Dem group has highlighted that, from 2021 to 2022, the inspection fee for pest issues was raised by 130% from £24.90 to £57.30 (excluding VAT).

Southwark Liberal Democrat councillors heavily criticised the decision during the budget setting process, describing the price hike as “ignorant… [and] cruel to those on lower incomes”.

The inspection fee, now set at £75.72, is the upfront cost of a total £227 charged by the council for rodent treatment.

Tower Hamlets, in contrast, charges nothing for rat treatment services and had only 1,607 rat infestations in 2022, over 15,000 less than Southwark in the same year.

The British Pest Control Association has stated that the high cost of services can lead to people using ineffective DIY methods that can make the issue worse.

Commenting, leader of the opposition Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:

“Labour has completely lost control of sanitation in Southwark. To have the second highest rat infestations in England is bad enough, but for that number to have almost doubled in a year is a clear failure of council leadership. Increasing the up-front cost has made these vital services prohibitively expensive for those who need them most. Labour must get rid of this harmful ‘rat tax’. Residents are rightfully sick of the unsanitary conditions in our borough and deserve a council that cares.”