9 in 10 authorities to raise council tax by almost 5%

Most households are set to see their council tax bills go up by almost 5% next month.

According to figures from the PA news agency, nearly nine in 10 (88%) upper-tier authorities in England will raise council tax by 4.99% in April.

This is the maximum increase allowed without carrying out a local referendum.

More than two-thirds (68%) of upper-tier authorities will be raising bills by at least the maximum legal amount for the third year in a row.

Figures also show that 94% are putting up bills by 4.5% or more in April.

In fact, just nine councils have restricted bill increases to less than 4.5% this year. 

These are:

• Sunderland - 4.49%
• Kensington & Chelsea - 4%
• Doncaster - 3.99%
• Derby - 3.99%
• North East Lincolnshire - 3.98%.
• Essex - 3.75%
• Rotherham - 3%
• Lincolnshire - 2.99%
• Wandsworth - 2%

Meanwhile, ministers have given six English councils permission to put up council tax by more than 4.99% to stop them going bankrupt.

These are:

• Bradford - 9.9%
• Birmingham - 7.49%
• Newham - 8.99%
• Somerset - 7.5%
• Trafford - 7.49%
• Windsor and Maidenhead - 8.99%

Councils ‘must put taxpayers first’

Although the government has stressed that councils are “ultimately responsible” for setting their own council tax levels, it said they should “put taxpayers first and carefully consider the impact of their decisions".

"That's why we are maintaining a referendum threshold on council tax rises, so taxpayers can have the final say and be protected from excessive increases," a spokesperson commented.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has insisted that it’s “acutely aware of the significant burden” that tax hikes could place on some households.

However, it said councils have had to make this “tough choice” as they are facing “severe funding shortages and soaring cost and demand pressures on local services”.

The LGA also pointed out that while council tax is an “important funding stream”, it’s not enough on its own to meet the financial pressures authorities are currently facing.

“The spending review needs to ensure councils have adequate funding to deliver the services local people want to see,” it added.