Janet Finch-Saunders;I, too, welcome today the Senedd Paper by the highly respected economist Gerald Holtham for stimulating the debate on the current council tax regime in Wales. However, I am concerned that any further increases in council tax would have a bad impact, especially given that we have seen under the Welsh Labour Government a 150% council tax increase during that time. Would the Minister agree that the impact on the household budgets for individuals and families, rather than simple property values across Wales, must be taken into account before any consideration is given to any further increases in council tax for our Welsh residents?

Lesley Griffiths;Well, I will just remind the Member, Presiding Officer, that council tax levels in Wales are still significantly lower than levels in England. You will have heard my answer to Aled Roberts’s initial question regarding Gerry Holtham’s suggestions.