Nearly 90% of Councils in England Plan Maximum or Higher Council Tax Increases

New analysis reveals widespread council tax hikes, with many local authorities nearing the 5% referendum threshold or exceeding it with government approval.

Out of 139 top-tier councils in England, 85% plan to raise council tax by 4.99%, the maximum allowed without a local referendum.
An additional six councils have been granted government permission to exceed the 5% cap, bringing the total of councils planning significant increases to nearly 90%.
Only 15 councils are proposing increases below 4.99%, with Wandsworth in London proposing the lowest at 2%.
The poorest fifth of UK households now spend 4.8% of their income on council tax, up from 2.9% in 2002-03, highlighting growing financial strain.
Critics argue the current council tax system, based on 1991 property values, is outdated and disproportionately impacts lower-income households.