The Government's apparent decision to postpone the revaluation of homes will come as a welcome relief to thousands of people in Oxfordshire.

It makes sense to delay any move until Sir Michael Lyons has announced the recommendations of his inquiry into local government funding.

Council tax is better than the old rating system and the hated poll tax, but still has serious shortcomings.

Pensioners on fixed incomes in Oxfordshire have been particularly badly hit by recent increases, some well above the rate of inflation.

A prosperous county like ours, where house prices have risen markedly in the past decade, has much to lose in a revaluation.

We may be putting off the evil day, but at least we now have a breathing space.

We look forward to the Lyons' inquiry proposing a much fairer system of local taxation for everyone.