the rate but in 1856 The Times called the government's attention to what the editor believed was a civil war raging throughout the country on the church rate question. In 1868, the Compulsory Church Rate Abolition Act was passed. This Act made church rates no longer compulsory, but merely voluntary, with those who were not willing to pay the rate being excluded from inquiring into, objecting to or voting in respect of their expenditure. Present day Parochial church councils may continue to levy voluntary rates by virtue of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. All Church of England Churches within the City of London continue to levy the church rate. Hampstead Parish Church has documented their procedures for raising a voluntary rate, by way of good practice. References Sources Local taxation in England History of the Church of England Taxation in Ireland Rates in the United Kingdom