The row over Surrey's proposed 15 per cent Council Tax increase shows no sign of abating - even though the shock rise has now been abandoned.

Furious Labour opposition leader Cllr Robert Evans has attacked as 'farcical' and 'a shambles' the budget meeting of Surrey County Council at which the ruling Conservatives backed down over the planned increase, settling instead for a five per cent rise.

The original rise was presented by the Conservatives as vital to meet the growing demand for adult social care. But Cllr Evans is suspicious about the change of heart.

He said: "At the last minute we've been presented with new figures that just don't add up. Even the director of finance has said it's a budget of significant risks.

"We need proper answers."

Mr Evans wants to know if some sort of deal has been done behind the scenes with the Government. He believes that being expected to cover adult social care through the council tax is unfair and unrealistic and that the Government may have found a way to let the authority off the hook.

He is suspicious that Conservative leader Cllr David Hodge has only released a censored version of a letters he sent to Surrey MPs - including Chancellor of the Exchequer David Hammond, whose constituency extends to Egham, Virginia Water and Englefield Green.

Cllr Evans said: "Just what has the Government offered? We may never know because Mr Hodge won't tell us. Mr Hodge is dodging the question."

The ruling Conservatives have dismissed out of hand Cllr Evans' suggestion that the number of councillors be cut and their allowances be reduced as a way of saving money.

The authority received a lot of adverse publicity two years after councillors awarded themselves a large pay rise.

A stark statement issued by Conservative leader Cllr Hodge said: "Surrey's decision not to proceed with a 15 per cent council tax was ours alone and there has been no deal between Surrey County Council and the Government. However, I'm confident that the Government now understands the real pressures in adult social care and the need for a lasting solution."