Government officials have rubbished claims that people living in ‘more desirable' or ‘affluent' areas face huge tax hikes.

The Department for Communities and Local Government also slammed reports that the Labour government was using more computers and intrusive big brother style measures to raise taxes. After highlighting government plans to push through new laws to give council tax inspectors the right to enter homes, with any who refuse facing fines, local government shadow secretary Caroline Spelman said there were plans ahead to increase local tax bills by taxing properties based on their neighbourhood. ‘If Labour introduces this invasive system fully in England, your council tax bill will depend not just on the features of your house, but whether you have good schools or clean streets and whether you have low or high rates of crime,' she said.