Council Tax In Cabinet Ministers' Constituencies Has Rocketed - Brake

10.45.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 5th Dec 2007

Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson, Tom Brake MP

Ahead of tomorrow's expected announcement of grants to local government, the Liberal Democrats have released research showing the rising cost of council tax in the constituencies of Cabinet ministers representing English seats.

The research shows:

· Cabinet ministers saw council tax in their areas rise on average by three-quarters since 1997 - three Cabinet Ministers saw council tax in their local authority more than double.

· Every junior minister in the Communities and Local Government Department saw council tax bills for an average dwelling in their area soar by over £380.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson, Tom Brake MP said:

"Ministers can't continue to ignore how unfair council tax is.

"In their own back yards, council tax has rocketed since Labour came to power, hitting pensioners and those on low incomes hardest.

"Town Halls having to rely on tight handouts from the Government will be forced once again to hike council tax or cut services.

"Many families already struggling with rising mortgage payments simply won't be able to cope with more tax rises.

"Ten years as Chancellor has proven that Gordon Brown just doesn't have the courage to replace council tax with a fair alternative based on ability to pay."