Global Edition
Global Edition
UK Edition
EU Edition
US Edition

Understand the story, not the spin.

Markets

England's Council Tax Rises 4.9% in 2026-27

Published 25 March 2026

England's council tax bills are set to rise by an average of 4.9 percent in the 2026-27 financial year, marking the fourth consecutive year of increases around 5 percent and adding £111 to the typical Band D household payment, according to data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The changes, effective from April, highlight ongoing regional disparities, with households in some of the poorest metropolitan areas in the North and Midlands facing the highest averages at £2,409 annually, compared to £2,068 in London boroughs.

The national average Band D charge will reach £2,392, encompassing core council tax plus levies for adult social care, parish precepts and services from police, fire and regional authorities. Unitary council areas, which serve communities with varying prosperity levels, will average £2,490, while countywide councils charge £2,452. Since 2023, overall increases have totaled £22 per Band D property. Of 384 authorities eligible for referendum thresholds on tax hikes, 274 opted for the maximum allowable rise, a drop of 21 from the previous year.

Analysis of the 136 councils with single-party control reveals variations by political...

Now playing
0:00 / 0:00