Households have been hit with stealth council tax rises worth £16,000 over thirty years as town hall levies have soared above inflation. Council tax has risen 83pc above inflation since its introduction in 1993, analysis of official figures show. It means the average household has paid £16,072 more in council tax over the whole period from 1993 than they would had increases been capped in line with inflation, with taxes increasing on average by 4.5pc each year. In the current financial year – in which the average household in a Band D property will pay £2,171 – council tax is £994 higher than it would be if rises had been capped with rising prices. Councils have the power to raise taxes by up to 5pc each year, although they can hold a public vote and seek permission from the central Government for larger rises. Council tax has risen by more than inflation in 21 out of the past 30 years, analysis revealed. Elliot Keck, head of campaigns at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers will be furious that they’re paying so much more for their councils, despite getting less in many cases. “Local authorities have become addicted to annual tax hikes...