Council tax payers face a "ticking timebomb" with a post-General Election revaluation of homes set to usher in much higher bills for many, the opposition parties warned.
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats issued the warning as the Government confirmed that next year in England the tax will rise by an average of £47 on a typical home.
At the same time, ministers began moves to "cap" nine councils for putting forward "excessive" increases.
The Local Government Association voiced "bitter frustration" at the capping announcement, with its chairman warning that Government-imposed responsibilities mean that local authorities face a £1.5 billion "black hole" in their budgets for next year which could necessitate further bill increases.
On next year's figures, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said that the bill for two adults living in a band D property will increase by 4.1% from £1,167 to £1,214 in 2005-6.
Average band D council taxes will be £1,162 in London, £1,234 in shire areas and £1,190 in metropolitan areas. In England, the average bill per dwelling - a different calculation - will be £1,009 in 2005-6, up from £967 the previous year. In London, that figure will be £1,078, in the shires £1,048 and in metropolitan areas £840.
The tax has become a key pre-election issue, with Tories offering pensioners a rebate of up to £500. Chancellor Gordon Brown responded with a one-off £200 payment for pensioners to help with bills.
The Liberal Democrats propose replacing council tax with a local income tax.
The main opposition parties criticised the way the tax has risen under the Labour Government - and warned that the planned revaluation of properties will produce significant new rises.
Council tax currently based on 1991 prices is to be recalculated on the value at April 1 2005.  |