Menu
25/04/2003
Council taxes on homes go through the roof
Council tax bills in England have almost doubled in the past 10 years, according to research by the Halifax.
Since the introduction of the council tax by Conservative Party Prime Minister John Major in 1993, the Halifax says that the average area council tax bill in England for a Band D property has increased by 94% (£534). From an average first year bill of £568, the same Band D dwelling is now paying around £1,102 – the first time the £1,000 barrier has been broken.
The news is not good for current Prime Minister Tony Blair's own constituents in Sedgefield which now has highest area council tax charge in Britain – billing £1,294 for a Band D property in 2003/04.
And surprisingly, many central London residents pay some of the lowest council tax bills – with Westminster, Wandsworth, and City of London all featuring amongst the 10 billing authorities with the lowest area charges.
Scotland has seen similar rises, with the average bill jumping from £556 to £1,009 in the past 10 years – an increase of 81%.
But by far the biggest proportional hike was in Wales, where tax on Band D property has leapt 155%, from £328 to £837 in 2003/04.
This year's 12.9% increase in England is higher than in any previous year – the comparable rises for Scotland and Wales were 3.9% and 9.9% respectively.
Overall, council tax increases in England have outstripped inflation by more than three times since 1993. Council tax revenues have now increased from £7 billion in 1993/94 to a budgeted £18.9 billion in 2003/04.
Halifax, the UK's largest mortgage provider, has analysed council tax charges in Great Britain since its introduction in April 1993. All the data is sourced from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly of Wales.
(GMcG)
Since the introduction of the council tax by Conservative Party Prime Minister John Major in 1993, the Halifax says that the average area council tax bill in England for a Band D property has increased by 94% (£534). From an average first year bill of £568, the same Band D dwelling is now paying around £1,102 – the first time the £1,000 barrier has been broken.
The news is not good for current Prime Minister Tony Blair's own constituents in Sedgefield which now has highest area council tax charge in Britain – billing £1,294 for a Band D property in 2003/04.
And surprisingly, many central London residents pay some of the lowest council tax bills – with Westminster, Wandsworth, and City of London all featuring amongst the 10 billing authorities with the lowest area charges.
Scotland has seen similar rises, with the average bill jumping from £556 to £1,009 in the past 10 years – an increase of 81%.
But by far the biggest proportional hike was in Wales, where tax on Band D property has leapt 155%, from £328 to £837 in 2003/04.
This year's 12.9% increase in England is higher than in any previous year – the comparable rises for Scotland and Wales were 3.9% and 9.9% respectively.
Overall, council tax increases in England have outstripped inflation by more than three times since 1993. Council tax revenues have now increased from £7 billion in 1993/94 to a budgeted £18.9 billion in 2003/04.
Halifax, the UK's largest mortgage provider, has analysed council tax charges in Great Britain since its introduction in April 1993. All the data is sourced from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly of Wales.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 February 2005
Tories promise to reduce council tax for pensioners
Conservative leader Michael Howard has pledged to reduce council tax payments for pensioners, if the party win at the next General Election. Mr Howard said that, under a Conservative government, households where all adults are aged 65 and over would have their council tax bills halved, up to a maximum value of £500.
Tories promise to reduce council tax for pensioners
Conservative leader Michael Howard has pledged to reduce council tax payments for pensioners, if the party win at the next General Election. Mr Howard said that, under a Conservative government, households where all adults are aged 65 and over would have their council tax bills halved, up to a maximum value of £500.
01 March 2005
Average council tax rise dips to 4%
Average council tax will rise by 4% in England this year, the lowest percentage increase since 1994, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has reported. CIPFA research predicted that council tax bills would rise by an average £45 to £1, 187 for a "band D" property in 2005/06 in England. In Scotland and Wales, rises of 3.
Average council tax rise dips to 4%
Average council tax will rise by 4% in England this year, the lowest percentage increase since 1994, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has reported. CIPFA research predicted that council tax bills would rise by an average £45 to £1, 187 for a "band D" property in 2005/06 in England. In Scotland and Wales, rises of 3.
07 April 2014
Asda To Create 12,000 Jobs Over Five Years
Asda is to create up to 12,000 jobs over the next five years. Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart, made the announcement with the Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP at Asda's Clapham Junction store in London. Mr McMillon showed Mr Cameron around the London store, which is one of 577 Asda stores in the UK.
Asda To Create 12,000 Jobs Over Five Years
Asda is to create up to 12,000 jobs over the next five years. Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart, made the announcement with the Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP at Asda's Clapham Junction store in London. Mr McMillon showed Mr Cameron around the London store, which is one of 577 Asda stores in the UK.
21 March 2007
Council tax report recommends changes
People living in the most expensive properties in England should pay more council tax, a report has recommended.
Council tax report recommends changes
People living in the most expensive properties in England should pay more council tax, a report has recommended.
22 March 2006
Gordon Brown unveils tenth Budget
Chancellor Gordon Brown has delivered his tenth Budget address today, with a number of changes for schools, road taxes and the environment.
Gordon Brown unveils tenth Budget
Chancellor Gordon Brown has delivered his tenth Budget address today, with a number of changes for schools, road taxes and the environment.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with a few showers at times. Becoming dry in the afternoon and staying mainly cloudy, but some sunshine breaking through particularly in the east. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Quite cloudy across all counties at first but clear spells most likely towards Down and Antrim, becoming widespread through the evening and overnight. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
