Tony Blair's constituents are facing the highest council tax bills in England.

Voters in Sedgefield will have to stump up a further 6.4 per cent - with a Band D property paying £1,167, the highest in England.

Overall council tax in England is set to rise by three times the rate of inflation.

Ministers yesterday claimed victory in their bid to keep a lid on council tax increases.

But the deputy prime minister may cap up to 10 local authorities following yesterday's announcement of tax rises of up to 28 per cent.