TAXPAYERS in Newcastle will today be told how much they are to pay in council tax.

Newcastle Borough Council is due to approve a 1.5 per cent rise, proposed by the ruling Conservative-Lib Dem coalition, when its members meet tonight.

The increase would mean householders in the average Band D category pay £176.93 toward the borough council in 2010 to 2011, compared to £174.32 in 2009 to 2010, an increase of about 5p a week.

Staffordshire County Council has approved a 1.9 per cent increase in its precept.

And Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority has agreed a 2.9 per cent rise, while Staffordshire Police Authority will get a 2.8 per cent increase.

Those rises will add a further 13p a week to the Band D council tax bill.