Many local authorities in England are considering cutting services in an effort to keep council tax bills down, the Local Government Association says.
An LGA survey of 54 councils found 28% proposed cuts to jobs or services.

But 78% of councils also planned to raise bills by between 3% and 5% - up to £60 for an average band D property.

The LGA said costs for services such as caring for the elderly were rising above the rate of inflation but the government said grants had also risen.

‘Little alternative’

The LGA said above inflation increases in private sector contracts and fuel bills and the mounting volumes of waste which needed to be collected and disposed of were also factors.

Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, LGA chairman, said councils were “doing everything in their power to keep council tax as low as possible”, but they faced “very real difficulties”.

“The money given by central government to most councils was better than originally proposed,” he said.

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