To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it her policy to implement a council tax freeze in England. (262610)

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance she has issued to local authorities on the procedure to be followed in setting (a) a budget and (b) a council tax rate in circumstances where the council is unable to agree on a budget. (262683)

The Local Government Finance Act 1992 sets out provisions under which billing authorities are legally required to set their (a) budget requirement and (b) council tax rate for the financial year. Communities and Local Government does not provide guidance in situations where a council is unable to agree a budget.