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02/11/2005
Taxpayers face £100 council tax increase
Council tax bills in England could increase by 10%, unless more funding is provided for local governments.
In its annual statement on council tax, the Local Government Association said that councils were being expected to provide more services, without receiving an equivalent level of funding.
The LGA warned that unless the government filled a £2.2 billion ‘black hole’ in local government finances, taxpayers could expect to see an increase in council tax bills of around £100 per year.
The report warned that councils were being forced to find an additional £2.8 billion to meet the pressures from the rising costs of legislative and policy demands, as well as demographic trends, such as an ageing population.
These figures included £663 million for elderly and adult services; £599 million for children’s services; £699 for anti-social behaviour, housing and pensions and £292 million for transport.
The LGA said that the shortfall had been partially offset by a government commitment to increase funding in areas such as asylum seekers and licensing, although a deficit of £2.2 billion remained.
Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, Chairman of the LGA, said: "This new evidence makes for bleak reading for council taxpayers. Although ministers have confirmed that local government has been more successful than any other part of the public sector in making efficiency savings, we are still staring at a £2.2 billion black hole in town hall budgets.
"The government has introduced new standards and is making ever more legislative and policy demands on councils without providing an equivalent level of funding. The proposed increase in government grants of £300 million is not even enough to cover basic inflation.”
The Conservatives warned that the elderly would suffer the most from an increase in council tax bills. Shadow Local Government Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "I am concerned that the elderly, already facing soaring heating bills this winter, will not be able to pay their council tax demands. Labour's taxes have hit not only hard-working families, but also some of the most vulnerable people in our society."
(KMcA/SP)
In its annual statement on council tax, the Local Government Association said that councils were being expected to provide more services, without receiving an equivalent level of funding.
The LGA warned that unless the government filled a £2.2 billion ‘black hole’ in local government finances, taxpayers could expect to see an increase in council tax bills of around £100 per year.
The report warned that councils were being forced to find an additional £2.8 billion to meet the pressures from the rising costs of legislative and policy demands, as well as demographic trends, such as an ageing population.
These figures included £663 million for elderly and adult services; £599 million for children’s services; £699 for anti-social behaviour, housing and pensions and £292 million for transport.
The LGA said that the shortfall had been partially offset by a government commitment to increase funding in areas such as asylum seekers and licensing, although a deficit of £2.2 billion remained.
Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, Chairman of the LGA, said: "This new evidence makes for bleak reading for council taxpayers. Although ministers have confirmed that local government has been more successful than any other part of the public sector in making efficiency savings, we are still staring at a £2.2 billion black hole in town hall budgets.
"The government has introduced new standards and is making ever more legislative and policy demands on councils without providing an equivalent level of funding. The proposed increase in government grants of £300 million is not even enough to cover basic inflation.”
The Conservatives warned that the elderly would suffer the most from an increase in council tax bills. Shadow Local Government Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "I am concerned that the elderly, already facing soaring heating bills this winter, will not be able to pay their council tax demands. Labour's taxes have hit not only hard-working families, but also some of the most vulnerable people in our society."
(KMcA/SP)
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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.
11 January 2005
Campaign launched to improve uptake of council tax benefit
The Government has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales to check if they are paying too much council tax. Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.
Campaign launched to improve uptake of council tax benefit
The Government has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales to check if they are paying too much council tax. Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.
27 March 2006
Council tax bills to increase by 4.5%
Council tax bills in England are set to increase by an average of 4.5% this year. The increase will mean that the average council tax per home will increase to £1,056 from £1,009, while the average band D bill will increase to £1,214.
Council tax bills to increase by 4.5%
Council tax bills in England are set to increase by an average of 4.5% this year. The increase will mean that the average council tax per home will increase to £1,056 from £1,009, while the average band D bill will increase to £1,214.
20 September 2005
Government postpones council tax revaluation
The government has announced plans to postpone the revaluation of council tax in England. Local Government Minister David Miliband said that the delay would mean that the issue could be discussed as part of Sir Michael Lyons’ inquiry into local government funding.
Government postpones council tax revaluation
The government has announced plans to postpone the revaluation of council tax in England. Local Government Minister David Miliband said that the delay would mean that the issue could be discussed as part of Sir Michael Lyons’ inquiry into local government funding.
29 January 2004
£3.7bn in extra funding awarded to local councils
Local services will get an extra £3.7 billion in this year's funding grants to councils, it has been announced today. For the second year running, every local authority will receive at least an above inflation increase in government grant with many getting more. The local government formula grant will rise by 5.5% to £2.
£3.7bn in extra funding awarded to local councils
Local services will get an extra £3.7 billion in this year's funding grants to councils, it has been announced today. For the second year running, every local authority will receive at least an above inflation increase in government grant with many getting more. The local government formula grant will rise by 5.5% to £2.
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