Communities secretary Eric Pickles has pledged to crack down on 'shadowy unelected bodies' forcing increased council tax levies.

Speaking at the New Local Government Network's conference in central London today, Mr Pickles said he would force levy bodies - such as transport and waste authorities, national parks and pension authorities - out in the open to be more transparent.
 
Mr Pickles told delegates he could not go into further details as he did didn't want to 'take away Her Majesty's powers to announce what is in the Queen's Speech'.

He also used the speech to hit out again at councils using 'loopholes' to increase council tax. ‘We will make sure they pay next year,' Mr Pickles vowed.

Shadow communities secretary Hilary Benn hit back at government ministers for taking 'cheap shots and low blows' at local authorities.
 
‘I think it should stop but I don't think it will because I think it's about shifting the blame,' Mr Benn added.