Oral Answers to Questions

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Excerpts

Monday 30th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con)]

Those on low incomes in Cirencester are suffering a double whammy. Their town council is increasing its precept by 4.7% and the police are increasing their precept by 2.9%, at a time when the district and county councils are making the tough decision to freeze council tax. Will my hon. Friend see what can be done to ensure that all precepting authorities keep their increases to a minimum?

[Andrew Stunell]

The Secretary of State has made the Government’s point of view clear. He believes—and I believe—that local authorities and precepting authorities should behave with responsibility in these difficult times. I am sure that his words will have been heard, and I am happy to underline them from the Dispatch Box.