A war of words has erupted between Labour and the Liberal Democrats in Ealing over the council's potential decision to reduce council tax benefit for vulnerable residents.

Labour Ealing Council will hold an "extraordinary meeting" on January 5 for councillors to debate proposals which would reduce the maximum council tax support available to vulnerable households from 100% to 91.5% of the council tax liability.

It will also increase the contribution expected from other members of the household, known as non-dependent charges, by £6 per week for all categories.

Lib Dem Councillor Gary Busuttil, speaking on behalf of Ealing Lib Dems, said: "Liberal Democrats say when Councils make decisions; they need to consider the harm they will cause.

"The council plans, actually save little money, but cause many vulnerable people to suffer even more.

"What is the point in adding even more debt to some residents when they will not be able to pay the council.

"Ealing Council are unnecessarily harming the lives of people in Ealing."

'Breathtaking hypocrisy'

Cllr Busuttil added the Lib Dems believe the disabled, lone parents, their children and especially women will bear the brunt of these cuts.

According to the Lib Dems, the party "called in" the decision so it could be reviewed but claimed that Labour councillors did not reverse it.

The proposals, which if approved will come into affect on April 1, will however increase maximum Council Tax Support available to people who have been receiving income based Jobseekers Allowance for more than 12 months from 70% to 75% of the council tax liability.

If successfully adopted, the changes would save around £900,000 but this is not included in the £14.7m hoped to be saved in the next three years.

Labour's Cllr Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, hit back at the Lib Dems, accusing them of double standards because he claims they were forced to implement cost-cutting measures because of the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition from 2010 to 2015.

Councillor Bell said: "The Liberal democrats are displaying breathtaking hypocrisy on this issue.

"The Lib Dems and Conservatives scrapped council tax benefit which provided 100% council tax relief for vulnerable residents.

"It was their government that slashed the budget for this in 2012 and left it to local councils to pick up the pieces.

"This is what the Lib Dems do when they get their hands on the levers of power. We are making the best of a bad situation."

On November 25, Get West London reported how Councillor Bell had accused Lib Dem councillor Gary Malcolm of "crying crocodile tears" after criticising the policy.