Residents nationwide have begun receiving council tax notifications, indicating upcoming bill increases effective April.
The majority of financially strained local councils are set to raise taxes by the maximum allowable percentage of 4.99%, a pattern consistent with recent years and exempt from resident referendums.
Local authorities justify these hikes as essential to maintain services like waste collection, libraries, and recreational facilities amidst challenging financial circumstances.
However, certain councils, including Worcestershire County Council under Reform control, have been granted government approval to exceed the maximum percentage increase. Other councils with this privilege are Trafford, Warrington, North Somerset, Shropshire, and Worcestershire, with increments ranging from 6.74% to nearly 9%.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government emphasized the autonomy of councils in setting tax levels, encouraging them to keep taxes on the working population minimal. The government has allocated £78 billion for local finances next year, with a significant portion unrestricted to enable local leaders to allocate funds based on local priorities.
To determine the projected tax increase in your area starting April 1, 2026, input your postcode and council tax band in the interactive widget below.
Properties are categorized into bands A to H based on their value as of April 1, 1991, with the Band D rate serving as the benchmark for tax calculations.
While Band D typically represents an average home, in certain regions, such as less affluent areas in the north of England, most homes fall under Band A. Consequently, some councils challenge the notion that a Band D property is truly ‘average’ due to the prevalence of Band A properties.
Council tax is divided into precepts set by various authorities, each subject to varying rate increases. These precepts cover local services like fire, police, and social care, with our calculations primarily based on the social care authority portion, the largest component of the tax bill, determined by your County, Metropolitan Borough, London Borough, or Unitary council.
Certain groups may qualify for council tax discounts or exemptions, while households with mixed eligibility may be liable for the full tax amount. Eligibility can be verified here.
The data presented is sourced from official council documents, subject to potential revisions. To report any required updates to your area’s figures, contact ashley.cowburn@mirror.co.uk and lizzy.buchan@mirror.co.uk with the subject line ‘Council Tax’.
Search tool developed by DAVID DUBAS-FISHER of the REACH DATA UNIT
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