Howard details council tax pledge
News Article 21 February 2005
The Conservatives have detailed their plan to cut council tax bills for the elderly.
Howard offers help for elderly council taxpayers
News Article 20 February 2005
The Conservatives are promising to bring down council tax bills for the elderly.
Council tax bills 'to rise and rise'
News Article 18 February 2005
Council tax bills will increase by more than twice the level of inflation this year, according to a new survey.
Council tax under control until election
Press Review 18 February 2005
The government appears to have won its battle to keep average council tax rises under five per cent until after the election.
Ministers back local business ballots
Press Review 15 February 2005
The local government minister has welcomed growing interest in a pilot programme of ballots for businesses in local areas on whether to pay for town centre improvements.
No surge in council tax
Press Review 14 February 2005
This year's council tax increases in England could be the lowest for more than a decade because of an extra £1 billion government grant in the run-up to the election.
Second city to exploit new borrowing rules
News Article 11 February 2005
Birmingham City Council could become the first local authority to issue bonds to raise funds by taking advantage of relaxed government controls.
Birmingham set for bonds issue
Press Review 11 February 2005
Birmingham City Council could become the first local authority to issue bonds to raise investment funds by taking advantage of relaxed government controls, according to the Financial Times.
Livingstone's budget saved by Greens
News Article 8 February 2005
London mayor Ken Livingstone's budget has been saved by the Green Party in a deal over environmental measures.
ODPM presses on with 'decent homes' plan
News Article 8 February 2005
The government is pushing ahead with a new round of funding for its controversial social housing redevelopment programme.
Business not opposed to localised rates
Press Review 8 February 2005
Through his review of council tax, the FT reports that Sir Michael Lyons has found business to be less hostile to localised business rates than first thought.
Scots councillors set for large wage hike
News Article 6 February 2005
Scotland's 1,222 councillors appear set for a cash windfall when an independent inquiry this week calls for their salaries to be increased from £7,000 to £25,000 a year.
London politicians combine to tackle quangos
News Article 6 February 2005
The Capital's councils and the London assembly have joined forces in a bid to cut the power of unelected bodies.
E-government to save councils £1.2bn
News Article 3 February 2005
Local authorities in England are set to save £1.2 billion as a result of e-government investment, ODPM minister Phil Hope has said.
Lib Dems issue council tax warning
Press Review 3 February 2005
A Liberal Democrat study has suggested that millions of home owners face soaring council tax bills due to rising property values.
