Council tax will rise for 40% of households

By Oliver Hotham

Almost half of English households will see their council tax rise, despite increased government incentives to freeze rates.

The rise is happening because police and fire authority precepts, added to the council tax, are going up.

According to the survey by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), around 43% of households will see an increase in their council tax, but not by more than four per cent.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles last month criticised Labour councils for raising taxes despite the incentives which saw millions of pounds flow into local government last year.

But shadow communities secretary Hilary Benn responded defending Labour in local government: "In these tough times, Labour councils are doing all they can to keep council tax low and on average residents pay less in council tax when they have a Labour council.

"This year Tory citadels like Surrey, Peterborough and Chelmsford are putting up their council tax even though CLG ministers – who talk a lot about local decision making - have made it clear that they will use new powers to penalise them next year for doing so.

"David Cameron should get his own house in order before he starts criticising Labour. Eric Pickles' plans will mean significant council tax increases for low paid workers next year because of changes to council tax benefit."

The CIPFA statistics show an increase of £4.39 a year.

According to the survey, 15% of councils will raising taxes, eight per cent of which are "principal" local authorities like city councils, London boroughs, and metropolitan and unitary authorities.

The grant on offer for freezing council tax is equal to 2.5% of a council's revenue base.
 

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.