Council tax forecast by region
Updated on 27 February 2009
Council tax rises will vary significantly around the English regions over the next year, according to forecasts released today.
London will have the lowest increase in England of only 1.2 per cent, while the rises in the North East and the South West will be two and a half times higher at 3.5 per cent according to the survey released today by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
The 3 per cent increase means the average Band D bill for England is expected to be £1,413.85. Last year's increase was 3.9% with average Band D bills coming in at £1,373.08. Council tax bills will rise by an average £41.
Council tax increases by region
The percentage increases in council tax bills forecast for each region in 2009/10 compared to the percentage increase in 2008/09.
Information from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
Almost three quarters of English and Welsh local authorities responded to the survey, and the CIPFA does not expect the outcomes to change significantly when all councils have set their budgets by 18 March.
Steve Freer, CIPFA's chief executive, warned that although the forecasts showed the lowest annual increases since 1994/95, "in many cases workforce and service reductions will be necessary to balance budgets".
