Millions face higher council tax to plug govt pension hole - papers

Figures obtained under freedom of information show councils' pension deficits have nearly trebled as a result of the recession, the Daily Mail reports. Council tax bills next April will depend in part on a calculation of the size of the pensions deficit, due in March. The last survey in 2007 found the deficit was as high as £23bn, with 83 out of 87 local governments showing a shortfall. Since then one in ten funds has conducted a new valuation which show deficits have grown by more than 280% on average - in part due to stock market falls. If this is replicated across all pension fu...