Council tax bands will not be re-valued during the current Parliament, the government has announced.

The decision, announced this morning, means homeowners and tenants will not be asked to pay any more money for local services because of the increased value of their homes.

Homes across the country are placed in one of eight council taxed bands, with Band A properties paying the smallest amount and band H properties paying the most.

In Watford, the average level of council tax (based on a Band D property) is £1,516.49, with money shared between Watford Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council and the Hertfordshire Police Authority.

These valuations are made according to property values in 1991 but take no account of increased property prices or home improvements.

A revaluation in Wales, carried out in 2005, placed about a third of all homes in a higher band.

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles promised that no similar exercise was planned in England during the current Parliament – scheduled to last five more years.