Over fifty local authorities have been warned that they will be capped if they levy high council tax rises this year.

Party Response: Conservative

Eric Pickles MP, shadow secretary of state for Local Government, said: “It is clear that the voters know who is to blame for their council tax hikes.

“This government has massively increased local authorities public spending without giving them sufficient money to pay for it. This has left councils with no option but to demand the missing millions from council tax payers.

“The government now threatens to wield the big stick of capping – but the problem is of its making, not local authorities.”

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Derek Brownlee, tax analyst at the Institute of Directors, told ePolitix.com: "Whilst not strictly a Business Tax issue, the high and ever increasing levels of council tax have the same negative impact on prosperity and growth as do other taxes. The government must ensure that it does not force higher levels of council tax by under-funding centrally mandated services."