Council tax freeze means homeowners escape £290 rise

Hundreds of thousands of Londoners have escaped the immediate threat of a rise in council tax.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles today ruled out a revaluation of council tax bands in England during the current parliament.

The announcement means that homeowners who have had a loft conversion, conservatory or extension will not face being moved up a council tax band, unless they sell the property.

They will also avoid having to pay a higher council tax simply because their home has gone up sharply in value as property prices have soared in the capital in the last two decades.

The average Band D yearly bill is £1,309 in the capital, while a jump up to Band E would be a £291 rise.

Mr Pickles told the Standard: "This is about offering stability to hardworking families during these tough economic times.

"Londoners would have been hit extremely hard by Labour's council tax revaluation. They can breathe a sigh of relief."