Hazel Blears MP, Labour's Secretary of State for Local Government, responding to the publication of council tax rates for 2008/09, said:

"The council tax figures released today shows clearly that Labour in local government offers local taxpayers the best value for money.

"Households in top-tier Labour council areas will pay on average £204 less this year than those living in Tory council areas and £143 less than those in Lib Dem areas.

"And increases have also been kept lower in Labour areas than in Tory or Lib Dem areas. We believe there's no excuse for excessive council tax rises - and thanks to Labour's extra investment in local government, this year's is the lowest increase in council tax for 14 years and the second lowest increase since council tax began.

"The choice for people voting in May's local elections is clear - if you want value for money, vote Labour."

EDITORS' NOTES:

The average council tax per dwelling for the local authority area is, on average, £204 less in areas where the top-tier authority is Labour controlled than in areas where the top-tier is Tory controlled and £143 less than in areas where the top-tier is Lib Dem controlled.

Central government funding for local government:

Labour has provided 11 successive years of above inflation grant increases to local government.

Central government support to local government has increased by 39 per cent above inflation since 1997 and will have increased by 45 per cent above inflation by 2011 at the end of this settlement.

In contrast, under the Tories, central government support to local authorities fell by seven per cent in real terms in the four years up 1997.