Council tax responsible for "soaring living costs"

"The 'remorseless increase' in council tax has caused soaring living costs, the Tories claimed today in a fresh attack on the Government before next month's local government elections.

Labour admitted council tax had gone up a whopping 100 per cent since 1997 - but then defended its record by saying next year's four per cent rise was the lowest for 14 years.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears was forced to defend accusations, during Commons clashes today, that town halls were being forced to foot the bill for central government policies."

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