Council tax to rise by up to 3% despite below zero inflation

By
Daniel Martin
Last updated at 8:47 PM on 26th November 2009

Local government minister Barbara Follett said a cap would be imposed on any councils which tried to introduce ‘excessive’ risesCouncil tax bills are set to rise by up to 3 per cent next year despite inflation being below zero.

Town halls were ordered to keep increases down to help hard-pressed families suffering during the recession.
But ministers said yesterday that a 3 per cent rise was
acceptable. That is equivalent to an increase of nearly £50 for the
average band D household, which will face a bill of £1,456. Inflation stands at minus 0.8 per cent, according to the Retail Price Index.
The Conservatives have pledged to follow Scotland’s example and impose a council tax freeze if they come to power.
Local government spokesman Caroline Spelman said: ‘Even a 3 per
cent rise compounds previous hikes and will add £42 to the bill for a
Band D home, taking bills close to the £1,500 a year mark. ‘From April, hard-working families and pensioners in England face council tax demands of £120 a month thanks to Gordon Brown.’
Council tax has more than doubled since Labour came to power. In
1997, the average band D household paid £688. Now the figure is £1,414
- up almost 110 per cent. Local Government minister Barbara Follett announced yesterday
that Whitehall would give councils £76.3billion next year in the hope
of keeping council tax rises at their lowest for 16 years.

She said the Government was prepared to impose a cap on any councils which tried to introduce ‘excessive’ rises.
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance,
said: ‘Councils have ramped up tax rates a huge amount in recent
years, so they should be looking to spend their existing budgets better
rather than forcing people to pay even more.’ Margaret Eaton, chairman of the Local Government Association, which represents councils, said red tape meant bills had to rise.
She said: ‘This is taking resources away from frontline services.’

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If you think 3% rise in council tax is unacceptable just wait and see what it will be in 2011 if NuLabour win the next election. You have been warned!!
- Malcolm Angus, Knaersborough, England, 26/11/2009 19:49

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Anyone remember when they tried to tell us that ‘financially responsible’ Councils would actually cut the tax we paid? I now pay more than double the amount that I paid in 1996: I’ve got the receipts.
The service we receive is laughable. Living in the country, there are now far fewer buses for older people, many of whom don’t drive but are dependent on them. The roads themselves are in a state that would shame Africa.
However, every month the Council manages to send me a shiny brochure telling me how lucky I am that we’re ‘working together as a team, to make our corner of the world better, greener, and more sustainable’. The people who work as higher management on these Councils creating and distributing this drivel - courtesy of my money - have received quite significant rises and very nice pensions indeed over the years.
- Chris, West Sussex, 26/11/2009 19:43

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<< Council tax to rise by up to 3% - >>

Only if we ALLOW it to.
Why not ALL stand together & tell them to shove their rise where the sun don’t shine?
This is OUR country and these people work for US - NOT the other way round!!
It’s time to remind them of this fact, and pay them what WE feel they are worth!!
- Telecaster, Gateshead - temporary home of Newcastle Brown Ale., 26/11/2009 19:43

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I have £850 p.m. nett pension and have to pay council tax of £120 p.m. I get no assistance. Council tax to go up?? Electric and gas have just gone up, fuel costs have shot up, insurance has gone up, beer has gone up my food bill has gone up, train fares have gone up, flights have gone up. It is ’suggested’ water rates should not rise. My interest rates have halved and I am told inflation has not increased.
I have been careful and paid off my mortgage but what fool I. Those who overborrowed have been rewarded by the decreease in mortgage rates. Those who went without to save for retirement have been penalised by little reward for savers.
It is time the people of Britain had their voices heard for a change
- Rick, Teesside, 26/11/2009 19:40

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Our Mayor has said that he wants to CUT ours by 3%. The unions are whining but this would be the first time, like, forever, that we haven’t been hit by above-inflation annual increases.
The team that I work within, for a blue chip company, has seen large cuts in the number of people and I’ve not had a pay rise for two years but still we manage to deliver the goods. Local authorities must learn to work smarter.
- Nigel, Doncaster, England, 26/11/2009 19:39

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I can see how they will justify it THEIR PENSION shock horror the thought of council employees getting a reduced pension.
- Pete, Pontefract U.K, 26/11/2009 19:34

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