Local authorities in England published their official council tax levels for 2012/13 today – with the vast majority of councils having accepted the government's grant offer to freeze local taxes.

The average Band D rate for England and Wales next year will be £1,444 - a decrease of 0.3% from 2011-12 - while the average council tax rate per dwelling will be £1,201, compared with £1,196 in 2011/12: an increase of 0.4%.