Minister Zeroes In On Freeze For Council Tax

摘要

The Government has confirmed the funding settlement for next year will not change from figures announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, despite fears over the economy. Local government minister, John Healey, also warned he wanted to see council tax 'substantially below 5%' -or he would use his capping powers. His threat came as a new inflation rate of 3.1% was announced. The minister has also embarked on a tour of councils with a 0% council tax rise - in an effort to highlight what he expects councils to aim for. News on the settlement comes as a Local Government Association survey predicted an average 3.5% council tax increase - the lowest rise in the past decade, but still above the inflation rate.