Haringey’s Labour Council has become the first authority in the country to announce a council tax freeze for the next four years.

The ruling party says it wants to help struggling families by retaining council tax at the current levels until at least 2018.

The announcement means Haringey residents will have had their council frozen for almost a decade, having not seen a rise since 2010.

Labour group leader Claire Kober said: “At a time when we know that many families in our borough are facing financial uncertainty, we want to be able to offer certainty where we can.

“The cost of living crisis is very real for many people in Haringey, with food, fuel, transport and energy bills all rocketing above inflation levels.”

Critics say councils are attempting to buy votes with council tax freezes in the run up to May’s local elections – none of London’s 33 boroughs are increasing council tax.

But Councillor Kober insists her party is looking to strike a balance between retaining revenues and maintaining services.

She said: “The contribution our residents make to local services through their council tax is of course hugely important, but we’re determined to get the balance right.

“This means continuing to offer high quality public services but bringing to an end resident’s concerns about the annual increase in council tax.

“Our pledge today means that no one living in Haringey will have to pay a penny more in council tax for at least the next four years which I hope offers some reassurance to our residents.”

The council’s decision is due to be ratified at a full council meeting tonight.