§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what relationship his Department has found between the change in central government grants that local authorities have received in 2003–04 and the changes in council tax that they have implemented. [153304]
§ Mr. RaynsfordGeneral grants (Revenue Support Grant, Non-Domestic Rates and Principal Formula Police Grant) increased by 5.9 per cent. on a like for like basis between 2002–03 and 2003–04. In the same period the average Band D area council tax increased by 12.9 per cent. Data for individual authorities can be found at http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/0304/changess.xls for grants and at http://www.local.odpm. gov.uk/finance/ctax/ctax034.htm. for council tax.