COUNCIL tax dodgers are among the most prolific in the region in Prime Minister Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency, according to a new study.
A report published by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows non-payment of council tax cost local authorities in England £516m in the last financial year.
In Sedgefield, the council recouped 93.8 per cent of collectable council tax, compared with the national average of 96.1 per cent.
Other authorities collecting below the national average include Hartlepool (94 per cent); Derwentside (93 per cent); Durham City (95.6 per cent); Teesdale (95.2 per cent); Middlesbrough (95.9 per cent), Stockton (95 per cent) and Newcastle (94.3 per cent).
PricewaterhouseCooper said that if every council in the country increased its collection performance by two per cent, £267m would be released into the public purse.
Partner and head of income management at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Peter Buckle, said: "The figures show the vast majority of local authorities have room for improvement in collecting council tax and even the best performing councils have no room for complacency."
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