'We'll curb council tax'

A Tory government would "curb the soaring cost" of council tax and give more people the chance to own their homes, the shadow local government secretary promised today.

Caroline Spelman stopped short of saying exactly how the Tories would combat the tax rises but said: "Council tax has become the ultimate stealth tax under Labour and is just one of a staggering-66 stealth taxes introduced by this government."

Ms Spelman also said the Tories would increase shared home ownership and "bring the property ladder back within the reach of many who have had no choice under Labour".