Oral Answers to Questions

Adam Holloway Excerpts

Monday 2nd July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Adam Holloway (Gravesham) (Con)]

16. What the percentage change was to average band D council tax bills in real terms in (a) England and (b) Gravesham constituency over financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12.

[The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Eric Pickles)]

Thanks to the council tax freeze, over the last two years, council tax bills have fallen by 1.4% in Gravesham and 4.4% across England in real terms. That is real help for families and pensioners with the cost of living.

[Mr Holloway]

I thank the Secretary of State for his answer. I will ask my question in a very calm manner. The majority of councils in Kent have frozen their council tax. Is he disappointed that in Gravesham it has risen by 3.48%, which is just below the 3.5% threshold for a referendum?

[Mr Pickles]

Gravesham has joined the small, select list of council tax dodgers. If it was felt that the council tax should go up, it would have been sensible to put it to the people of Gravesham, who no doubt would have given it their consideration.