Council Tax rates for most of the UK will rise by 5% this April, coinciding with annual price rises across utility providers.
The change was expected after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt granted permission for local authorities to raise rates by up to 5% without a referendum last November. At the time, treasury analysts expected 95% of local authorities to increase tax levels by the full amount.
How much are Council Tax bills increasing?
In total, 115 out of 151 (just over 76%) of Councils responsible for social care have decided to raise their bills by the maximum permitted amount of 5%.
Other local authorities are raising bills by between 1 and 5%. Only one – Central Bedfordshire – has pledged to freeze the cost of Council Tax.
Which Councils are raising bills by more than 5%?
In England, three struggling local authorities have been given special permission to raise bills above the 5% limit. Residents in Thurrock and Slough will see bills rise by 10%. In Croydon, bills will increase by 15%.
Council Tax bills in Scotland and Wales
Local authorities in Scotland and Wales do not face a cap on a potential Council Tax rise.
In Scotland, there is no cap on the Council Tax rise this year, although last year the maximum allowable increase was 3%. In 2023/24, most of Scotland’s 32 local authorities are raising bills by at least 5%.
The highest Council Tax rise is for residents of Orkney, whose bills will go up 10% next year. You can see the changes for each Scottish council here.
There has never been a maximum cap on Council Tax increases in Wales. The average bill increase across Welsh local authorities is 5.5%.
How will my Council Tax bill change?
The change to your own Council Tax bills will depend on your local authority, as well as the tax band of the home you live in.
You will be contacted before April 1st by your local authority with the details of how your annual bill will change, as well as any changes to your existing direct debit payment.
London residents can see the new Council Tax bill for their homes with our Council Tax checker.
Read more about bills in the UK:
