A second annual survey of council tax has confirmed this year's average rise is 3%, following the LGA's survey. Figures published byCIPFA on 27 February also show that London boroughs have limited their average annual Band D rise to just 1.2% this year, less than half the national average. CIPFA's figures are gleaned from responses by three-quarters of all English authorities. Steve Freer, CIPFA chief executive, said: ‘This year's round of council tax decisions has been extraordinarily difficult. On one hand, councils want to minimise tax increases to ease the burden on hard-pressed households. ‘On the other, there is pressure to maintain vital services to support families and communities through the downturn.'