1 March 2011
Over 300 local authorities in England have committed to freezing council tax for a year from April, the government has announced.
New figures show 333 authorities will be making use of a £650m fund pledged by the government to fund a council tax freeze for 2011/12. The funding gives local authorities who do not put up their council tax a grant worth 2.5% of their council tax income.
Some 200 more authorities have made the commitment since figures were last announced on February 9.
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: ‘This shows that local authorities can freeze council tax for residents helping them manage their monthly outgoings whilst working hard to protect frontline services. Tackling the nation’s deficit is the government’s biggest priority but we have made this money available to help hard working families and pensioners tired of seeing their council tax bill go up.’
Today’s total includes five authorities (Brighton and Hove, East Staffordshire, Hounslow, Ipswich and Windsor & Maidenhead) that intend to reduce their council tax.
