Families face being hammered by huge Council Tax hikes of four times the current rate of inflation
NINE in ten local authorities across England were yesterday feared to be plotting the maximum rise possible without a local referendum
FAMILIES face being hammered as council tax bills are put up by four times the current rate of inflation.
Nine in ten local authorities across England were yesterday feared to be plotting rises of between 3.9 and 3.99 per cent next year.
The upper figure — despite inflation being just 0.9 per cent — is just shy of the four per cent mark that would mean they have to call a local referendum.
The news emerged after a quarter of the 152 so-called “top tier” authorities — those responsible for the bulk of what people must pay — were grilled about next year’s council tax.
A whopping 95 per cent are to use the tactic.
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Not a single one plans a cut.
The rises follow inflation-busting hikes this year averaging 3.1 per cent. They will boost the tax on a typical Band D property by £61 to £1,591.
But local services will still get worse, according to the Local Government Chronicle, which was behind the survey.
Editor Nick Golding said: “Even with the extra money raised through council tax, many places will not be able to avoid cutting services.”