Local government secretary, Eric Pickles, has published an updated list of councils that have signed-up to his offer of 2.5% from Whitehall designed to 'freeze' council tax levels – with 152 authorities now supporting the plan.

Mr Pickles praised the authorities that have made the commitment, claiming it would help 'hard pressed' families across England, and said he fully expected to see the number of authorities committed to holding down local taxes to increase 'significantly' prior to the sector's budget-setting deadline next month.