§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average council tax for a band D property in each authority in England for 1996–97. [22009]
§ Mr. CurryThe average council tax for band D two-adult dwellings in England in 1996–97 is £647. This is before any reductions for council tax benefit and transitional relief, and represents an increase of 6.2 per cent on 1995–96 levels.
Council taxes in shire areas will be £632 on average, an increase of 5.9 per cent. on last year.
In London, the average council tax for band B is £616, with inner London having the highest increases, of 10.4 per cent. on average, while in outer London increases average 5.1 per cent. Metropolitan areas have the highest band D council taxes, at £725–6.8 per cent. higher than in 1995–96.
I have today placed in the Library of the House a table showing band D council tax for each authority in England for 1996–97, and the percentage increase from 1995–96.