Justin Tomlison MP with Leader of Swindon Borough Council, Rod Bluh
Justin Tomlinson MP welcomed the news from Bob Neill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government, that Swindon residents could save up to £139 thanks to the Government’s funding for a Council Tax freeze.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, last month announced new support for local authorities to help them freeze council tax next year.
The Government has set aside an extra £805 million to help freeze council tax bills for hardworking families. The support for local authorities, on top of the existing freeze, means that taxpayers living in an average Band D home in Swindon could save up to £70.
Justin Tomlinson MP said “This commitment by the Government to fund a two year Council Tax freeze will give real help to households in difficult times, putting money back in people’s pockets when they need it the most. The extra funding will make a positive contribution to those local authorities who wish to keep council tax down. ”
The new grant scheme will be open to all billing and major precepting authorities, including police and fire authorities, which decide to freeze or reduce their council tax next year. If they do, councils will receive additional funding, equivalent to raising their 2011-12 council tax by 2.5 per cent. Police and fire authorities will receive additional funding equivalent to raising their 2011-12 council tax by 3 per cent.