§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the factors underlying the changes in the level of council tax in recent years. [49817]
§ Dr. WhiteheadWe have not made a comprehensive assessment of factors underlying the changes in the level of council tax in recent years.
The limited analysis that we have carried out of the increases for 2002–03 suggests that there is a link between council tax rises and electoral cycles. This appears to be especially true for county councils, where elections were held last year and this year's average increase is higher than for other types of authority that provide similar services.