Harriett Baldwin
Main Page: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Grant Shapps
It constitutes the income of a household consisting of two partners.
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)
5. What the percentage change in band D council tax was in (a) England and (b) Worcestershire between 1997 and 2010.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles)
Council tax in England more than doubled under the previous Administration, and shire counties were hit particularly hard. Under that formula, Worcestershire saw an average rise close to 140%.
Harriett Baldwin
Will the Secretary of State take this opportunity to record his thanks to staff and councillors at Malvern Hills and Wychavon district councils, which have managed to make enough back-office savings to enable them to freeze council tax following those shocking increases?
Mr Pickles
I am happy to join my hon. Friend in thanking those two councils for prioritising their expenditure, for working together, and for protecting front-line services. After all, that is what local government should do, and it is what local government is particularly good at.