Councils in England are planning an average council tax increase this year of 0.6%, according to a survey. That will take the average bill for a band D property to £1,464 in 2014/15 - a rise of £8.47.

The annual survey was carried out by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said the government had "worked with councils to freeze council tax", and had cut it in real terms.

The biggest increase will occur in the South East outside London, where average council tax is set to go up by 0.8%, or £11.35. In London, the average bill will fall by £5.39.

CIPFA suggests the average fall in London is linked to local elections in the capital's boroughs this May, with councillors reluctant to stand on a record of tax increases.

Council taxpayers in Scotland will see no increase again this year, as bills have been frozen since 2007.

No figures are available yet for Welsh councils, but observers say the increases in Wales are likely to be bigger than those in England.