Council Tax bills set to rise by double inflation across the country

8.14.00am GMT Tue 28th Mar 2006

Council Tax bills in England will rise by an average of 4.5% this year - more than twice the level of inflation, according to government figures. The increase means the average council tax per home will be £1,056, up from £1,009 last year. Ministers are set to announce whether they will use powers to limit council tax rises in some parts of the country.

Andrew Stunell, Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson said "Another year, another council tax rise. Council Tax continues to soar under Labour, and it's clear they haven't got a clue what to do about it. Gordon Brown has abandoned pensioners this year, refusing to repeat his pre-election bribe of a £200 rebate. It will be the first time pensioners' bills have risen since they took to the streets more than two years ago. Council Tax is deeply unfair, and it's time to scrap it, not cap it."