Councils Refuse to Freeze Local Tax Rates

Three-quarters of county councils are set to raise council tax in the run-up to the general election, defying government pleas to freeze the charge. Four-fifths of counties planning an increase are Conservative-run, but have turned down the offer of grant funding from central government equal to a 1 per cent rise, in return for a freeze. The move demonstrates concern among Tory council leaders over the impact of wider cuts on council services.Overall, 43 per cent of councils expect to raise council tax charges for 2015-16, though only 20 per cent of London boroughs say they will do so. Only 3 per cent plan to reduce the charge. Read more on the Independent website.