Council tax bills were predicted to soar above the rate of inflation yesterday despite a 6.5 per cent increase in local authority grants and threats that ministers would cap excessive increases.

Hundreds of homeowners rebelling against record council tax increases are facing prison after being summonsed to court for non-payment of their bills as part of a protest which has been dubbed the "Can Pay, Won't Pay" campaign. Requires free registration.

A police authority has warned the Government of widespread civil unrest unless it takes action to ease the burden of council tax rises. The Devon and Cornwall Police Authority, which has overall responsibility for the conduct of policing in those counties, says many law-abiding people are risking jail rather than pay increases of up to 40 per cent over the past two years. Requires free registration.

Local authorities have been told that they are free to cap council tax rises for pensioners under powers that come into force next month.

COUNCILS in Wales are owed £60m in council tax arrears, it was claimed yesterday.

The Government was accused by the Conservatives yesterday of "passing the buck" over big rises in council tax. David Davis, the shadow deputy prime minister, said ministers had used the complexity of the revenue support grant system to push the burden of taxation on to councils and then on to the people who voted for them.

Delegates at the Liberal Democrat conference back calls for the abolition of council tax.

After a lifetime as a scrupulously law-abiding citizen, council tax increases have driven Devon pensioner Michael Wade-Brown to join a campaign of civil disobedience, writes Chris Tighe.

John Prescott launched a strong attack yesterday on those authorities responsible for excessive council tax rises. Requires free registration.

A string of Tory-run local authorities across southern England yesterday abandoned plans to give pensioners a discount on their council taxes following legal advice. Requires free registration.

Householders will suffer more punishing rises in their council tax bills next year despite a total 6.5 per cent rise in the amount of money the Government will give to local authorities next year, the Tories claimed yesterday. Requires free registration.

Local authorities will be prevented from introducing council tax rises significantly above the inflation rate, Nick Raynsford, the local government minister, said last night. [Telegraph]