Watchdog probes council tax rises

THE Government's independent watchdog has launched an investigation into the causes behind the rise in council tax this year, it has been reported.

The Audit Commission will analyse to what extent the rise was due to the shift in central government grants and how much was because of higher spending by local councils, the Financial Times said.

It quoted the Commission as saying the research was needed for 'fairly self-evident' reasons and was 'a mainstream thing to do'. It added: 'They are meant to be evidence-based reports.'

The report, requested by Steve Bundred, the Commission's new chief executive, will be based on case studies and is due to be completed early next month.