EXPERTS have called for the council tax system to be urgently reformed - saying it could lead to lower bills in Bradford.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has urged the Government to "modernise" council tax, which is currently calculated using a property's estimated value in 1991.

According to IFS analysis, Bradford residents could see average council tax bills fall by 12 per cent if a revaluation of homes took place.

David Phillips, an associate director at the IFS, said it is "increasingly absurd" that council tax valuations are based on 1991 house prices.

Mr Phillips added: "Since this one and only valuation of houses, values have increased by massively different amounts around the country, meaning that at least half are now effectively in the 'wrong band'.

"Households in the north and midlands are often in too high a band - and pay too much - while those in London and its environs too low a band - and pay too little - compared to what they would under a modernised tax."

Labour said it has no plans to reform council tax but is "committed to keeping taxes on working people as low as possible".

Bradford Council was approached for comment but no response was received by the time of publication.