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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Lowest tax bill rise for 15 years | Lowest tax bill rise for 15 years |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| England's Band D council tax is to rise by an average of 3%, the lowest rise in 15 years, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government. | England's Band D council tax is to rise by an average of 3%, the lowest rise in 15 years, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government. |
| The average Band D bill for April 2009 to April 2010 will be £1,414, compared with £1,373 for the previous year. | The average Band D bill for April 2009 to April 2010 will be £1,414, compared with £1,373 for the previous year. |
| Overall, there will be an average council tax rise per home of 2.6% - up to £1,175 from £1,145. | Overall, there will be an average council tax rise per home of 2.6% - up to £1,175 from £1,145. |
| The Local Government Association (LGA) responded by urging the government not to cap any councils this year. | The Local Government Association (LGA) responded by urging the government not to cap any councils this year. |
| Local Government Minister John Healey said: "Most councils across the country are tightening their belts, which is exactly what the public wants to see. | Local Government Minister John Healey said: "Most councils across the country are tightening their belts, which is exactly what the public wants to see. |
| "With a tough economic year ahead, councils will need to do even more to control costs and I remain ready to be tough with capping powers to protect council taxpayers from excessive increases." | "With a tough economic year ahead, councils will need to do even more to control costs and I remain ready to be tough with capping powers to protect council taxpayers from excessive increases." |
| LGA chairman Margaret Eaton said: "Many councils revised down council tax rises this year to minimise household costs for residents. | LGA chairman Margaret Eaton said: "Many councils revised down council tax rises this year to minimise household costs for residents. |
| Labour's refusal to follow the example of Scotland and freeze council tax bills in England is unfair Caroline SpelmanShadow local government secretary | Labour's refusal to follow the example of Scotland and freeze council tax bills in England is unfair Caroline SpelmanShadow local government secretary |
| "Given that town halls have made such efforts to keep council tax down this year, we would not expect the government to cap any councils." | "Given that town halls have made such efforts to keep council tax down this year, we would not expect the government to cap any councils." |
| But the Conservatives said there should be no increases at all. | But the Conservatives said there should be no increases at all. |
| Shadow local government secretary Caroline Spelman said: "At a time when millions of workers are facing pay freezes or unemployment this year, it adds insult to injury to drive up bills by a further £41 a year, on top of previous years' rises. | Shadow local government secretary Caroline Spelman said: "At a time when millions of workers are facing pay freezes or unemployment this year, it adds insult to injury to drive up bills by a further £41 a year, on top of previous years' rises. |
| "Labour's refusal to follow the example of Scotland and freeze council tax bills in England is unfair on English taxpayers, who yet again have received a raw deal." | "Labour's refusal to follow the example of Scotland and freeze council tax bills in England is unfair on English taxpayers, who yet again have received a raw deal." |
| Meanwhile, the government plans to cap the council tax increases set by two police authorities - Derbyshire and Surrey. | |
| It is the second successive year Surrey has faced the sanction - the first time that has happened for 12 years. | |
| Council tax gathered from local residents is shared between a number of bodies, including the council, police and fire services. | |
| Police authorities set the amount their share rises by, but only to a limit - ministers do not allow inflation-busting increases, and can force a cap on the demands. | |
| Mr Healey told the Commons he was disappointed he had to take action against Surrey for a second year. |