Tax freeze is critical (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Tax freeze is critical

8:19am Monday 13th February 2012 in Readers' letters By Telegraph & Argus

SIR – Over the coming weeks, local authorities across West Yorkshire will be setting their council tax bills for the year ahead.

Last year, the Coalition Government offered additional funding to help councils freeze their council tax. Every eligible council took up the offer, saving a typical family up to £72 in council tax on a Band D home.

This year, the Government is offering councils another opportunity to freeze council tax, providing a further £675 million of extra funding to support a freeze.

Already half of all councils have signalled they will sign up to the freeze – and I congratulate those that have done so.

A few are wobbling – having been leant upon by municipal officers who just want to fill their town hall coffers. I would encourage your readers to lobby their local councillors if they want to keep their tax bills frozen.

Hard-working families have to count the pounds and pennies at the end of the month. At a time when public and private sector workers are facing pay freezes, the last thing they need is to see their council tax bill get even bigger.

This month, councils have an important opportunity to help hard-working families and pensioners with the cost of living. Anything less is a kick in the teeth to Bradford’s taxpayers.

Bob Neill MP, Minister for Local Government, Department for Communities and Local Government