Warning over council tax bills

COUNCIL tax bills will soar if Labour is re-elected at the next General Election the Conservatives have warned.

Local government spokesman Caroline Spelman said the Government was preparing plans for a new stealth tax aimed at middle earners.

But homeowners would be kept in the dark about the scale of the tax increases until after the election, she said.

Spelman claimed council tax was the 'weapon of choice' in a programme of third-term tax rises planned by the Labour party.

'Labour plan to introduce a range of new higher council tax bands,' she told the Tory party conference. 'They have done it in Wales. Look out, it'll be England and Scotland next.'

A planned council tax revaluation is due to start next year across England. In Wales, where a revaluation is already under way, one household in three will move up at least one tax band - meaning soaring bills for many.

The Tories are considering radical council tax reforms and plan to unveil detailed proposals before the General Election.

She pledged that on day one of a Tory Government the party would 'stop the hated inspection regimes' for councils.