Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he is taking steps to prevent above-inflation increases to town and parish council precepts as a consequence of local government restructuring.

Parish councils decide the level of their council tax precept. This will reflect the service needs of each area having taken account of their other sources of income. To date no referendum principles have been set for these types of authority but the government expects them to consider carefully the pressure they place on taxpayers. The government keep this position under review, taking into account the increases set by the sector.