Menu
01/03/2005
Average council tax rise dips to 4%
Average council tax will rise by 4% in England this year, the lowest percentage increase since 1994, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has reported.
CIPFA research predicted that council tax bills would rise by an average £45 to £1, 187 for a "band D" property in 2005/06 in England. In Scotland and Wales, rises of 3.9% and 4.3% respectively, were predicted, a decrease from 4.4% and 6% rises the previous year.
CIPFA said that the smaller increases were due to more grant money being supplied by the government as well as further threats to use capping powers to help limit council tax increases. The government's capping powers were first used last year when six English councils were told to lower their budgets.
CIPFA calculated that the government's grant settlement had provided English authorities with an extra £3 billion. However, CIPFA said that the 2005/06 budgets relied heavily on special one-off funding which was announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown in his Pre-Budget Report last December. If the funding was not repeated in 2006/07, CIPFA warned, higher council tax rises could return next year.
CIPFA Chief Executive Steve Freer said: "It is now more important than ever to address the question of how a better system for funding for local services can be developed. We believe that the root problem is that councils are far too dependent upon funding from central government. We need a stronger local tax base incorporating either the return of business rates to local government control or the introduction of a new local income tax, alongside an improved council tax."
Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Local and Devolved Government Caroline Spelman said that Labour had "hammered" people with council tax rises of 70% since they came to power, saying they were just one of "66 stealth tax rises". Ms Spelman said: "This year's rises are a cynical attempt to try to limit council tax in an election year. It's a trick Labour has used before - only to then drive rises up again afterwards. The year's rises are double the rate of inflation, and with revaluation next year and plans to introduce new higher council tax bands, there is no doubt we would see even further hikes in any Labour third term."
(KMcA/SP)
CIPFA research predicted that council tax bills would rise by an average £45 to £1, 187 for a "band D" property in 2005/06 in England. In Scotland and Wales, rises of 3.9% and 4.3% respectively, were predicted, a decrease from 4.4% and 6% rises the previous year.
CIPFA said that the smaller increases were due to more grant money being supplied by the government as well as further threats to use capping powers to help limit council tax increases. The government's capping powers were first used last year when six English councils were told to lower their budgets.
CIPFA calculated that the government's grant settlement had provided English authorities with an extra £3 billion. However, CIPFA said that the 2005/06 budgets relied heavily on special one-off funding which was announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown in his Pre-Budget Report last December. If the funding was not repeated in 2006/07, CIPFA warned, higher council tax rises could return next year.
CIPFA Chief Executive Steve Freer said: "It is now more important than ever to address the question of how a better system for funding for local services can be developed. We believe that the root problem is that councils are far too dependent upon funding from central government. We need a stronger local tax base incorporating either the return of business rates to local government control or the introduction of a new local income tax, alongside an improved council tax."
Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Local and Devolved Government Caroline Spelman said that Labour had "hammered" people with council tax rises of 70% since they came to power, saying they were just one of "66 stealth tax rises". Ms Spelman said: "This year's rises are a cynical attempt to try to limit council tax in an election year. It's a trick Labour has used before - only to then drive rises up again afterwards. The year's rises are double the rate of inflation, and with revaluation next year and plans to introduce new higher council tax bands, there is no doubt we would see even further hikes in any Labour third term."
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 March 2005
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
18 September 2003
Charity groups demand reform of council tax charges
Help the Aged and The Royal British Legion have joined forces today to demand a reform of council tax and Council Tax Benefit. The two charities say that "annual inflation-busting" increases in council tax "unfairly discriminate" against older people, whose incomes tend to be fixed or linked to inflation.
Charity groups demand reform of council tax charges
Help the Aged and The Royal British Legion have joined forces today to demand a reform of council tax and Council Tax Benefit. The two charities say that "annual inflation-busting" increases in council tax "unfairly discriminate" against older people, whose incomes tend to be fixed or linked to inflation.
30 November 2010
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
20 April 2005
Tories & Lib Dems launch council tax plans
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have both unveiled plans to tackle council tax. The Conservatives have pledged to cancel Labour’s planned revaluation of homes in England for the council tax.
Tories & Lib Dems launch council tax plans
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have both unveiled plans to tackle council tax. The Conservatives have pledged to cancel Labour’s planned revaluation of homes in England for the council tax.
21 March 2007
Council tax report recommends changes
People living in the most expensive properties in England should pay more council tax, a report has recommended.
Council tax report recommends changes
People living in the most expensive properties in England should pay more council tax, a report has recommended.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
