Soaring Council Tax Hikes Across England: Breaking Down the Numbers
English regions experiencing the highest council tax increases this year, unveiled on map
Brace yourselves, folks! Council tax in England is about to skyrocket by a whopping £2.1 billion, affecting millions of households. Here's the lowdown on this year's crazy council tax hikes, broken down into bite-sized pieces for your convenience.
The average increase across England sits at a hefty 4.9%, pushing that yearly bill for a typical band D property £109 further out of your wallet, from £2,171 to £2,280, starting April 1. But remember, it ain't equal for everyone.
Across England's 296 billing areas, the situation varies wildly. Nearly half of the local authorities have strapped on their boots and raised rates to the maximum 5%, while six councils around the nation have been granted permission even to exceed this cap.
Now, where's the pain going to be the worst? According to a recent study by Go.Compare, Birmingham takes the crown for the biggest overall jump among these areas, with residents expected to cough up an additional £43.1 million from 2025/26.
Let's delve a little deeper and compare each authority's increase against its population to get a sense of the impact on an individual basis. Using government data, the comparison site drilled down to the nitty-gritty details, and the results are as follows:
- Windsor and Maidenhead: Residents will face a daunting £169.43 increase compared to 2024/25.
- Somerset: In a close race, Somerset residents will experience a second-place hit of £165.19.
- Bradford: With £163.40 on the line, the residents of Bradford come in third.
- Trafford, Manchester: Rounding out the top four, Manchester's Trafford district will see an increase of £144.20 per eligible household.
- Elmbridge: The top five contenders bring the average increase for eligible properties to an additional £143.47 for homes in Elmbridge.
It's worth noting that, aside from Trafford, the rest of the top ten are clustered together in the South, with only Richmond Upon Thames representing London as the only one on the list.
What about our friends from North of the border? Welsh taxpayers can expect hikes between 4.5% and 9.5%, while Scots will feel the sting of a long-overdue rise, starting at a minimum of 8%.
Summing it all up, council tax increases in 2025/26 are their reality for many households across England. If you're finding yourself pinned to the financial ropes, Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, recommends checking if you qualify for any council tax reductions or area support schemes. Remember, squeezing savings on other bills like home insurance could help soften the council tax blow, so shop around for a better deal.
Stay tuned as we continue to keep you informed on the latest news, trends, and developments here and beyond!
- The average increase in council tax across England in 2025 will be a significant 4.9%, raising the annual bill for a typical band D property by £109.
- Among England's 296 billing areas, some councils have been granted permission to exceed the 5% cap, with Birmingham being predicted to collect an additional £43.1 million from 2025/26.
- The top five areas with the highest individual increases, according to a government data analysis by Go.Compare, are Windsor and Maidenhead, Somerset, Bradford, Trafford in Manchester, and Elmbridge, respectively.
- In contrast, Welsh taxpayers can expect increases between 4.5% and 9.5%, while Scots will see a minimum rise of 8%, as they experience their long-awaited hikes in 2025.
