Council tax nightmare as 9 out of 10 areas go for maximum increase

MILLIONS of households face a council tax nightmare with nine out of 10 authorities imposing inflation-busting increases of at least 4.99% from April.

- Jonathan Walker

Conservatives blamed Labour's mismanagement of the economy, with council leaders warning national insurance and minimum wage rises have cost them hundreds of millions.

And the Local Association, which authorities nationwide, Government represents predicted another surge would be needed again next year as councils struggled with a "funding gap" of £2.6billion.

It said: "Councils will continue to struggle with many having to increase council tax to bring in desperately needed funding but still being forced to make further cuts to services."