English local authorities freeze council tax

378 authorities have been able to freeze their council tax, whilst 43 have opted to reduce it, thanks to a £650m funding pot set aside by Ministers.

This is the first time ever that 100 per cent of local authorities have reduced or frozen council tax since its introduction in 1993-94.

Official statistics published on council tax levels show the average Band D council tax set by Local Authorities in England will remain unchanged at £1,439 for 2011-12 as a result of a zero per cent increase on last year's council tax level.

Every eligible English local authority will now receive grant equivalent to them having increased their council tax by 2.5 per cent. This will be paid in ten equal instalments from April 2011. No further capping action is required in 2011-12.

The capping threshold in recent years was a five per cent council tax rise. Stopping such a rise this year saves a typical household up to £72 and if an average 2.5 per cent rise had occurred the saving would have been £36.

Ministers have prioritised protecting the vulnerable and made the council tax freeze money available to protect hard pressed families and pensioners from rising tax bills at this critical time.

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said: "Tackling public debt is our highest priority but we are determined to protect hard working families and pensioners who have been squeezed for too long."

"This is about giving real and immediate help to families struggling with the daily cost of living."

Further information
Department for Communities and Local Government