Council tax bills to surge by an average 5.1% next year
FAMILIES have been hit with a 5.1% average rise in council tax bills.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said the average Band D council tax in England for 2018-19 will be £1,671 – the biggest rise in 14 years.
Bills in shire areas are the highest, averaging £1,749, up £86, according to the Ministry of Housing. Nearly £2billion extra will be raised as town halls take advantage of new freedoms allowing them to lift bills by as much as 5.99%. Council leaders blamed the move on bill caps and slashed funding since the Tories took power in 2010. Shadow Local Government Secretary Andrew Gwynne said: “This shows that under the Tories, you pay more for less.” But Mr Javid insisted council tax in England is “7.6% lower in real terms than it was when we came to Government”.