Council tax increases across England have been confirmed for the new financial year, with millions of households set to face higher bills from April.
Most local authorities will raise council tax by 4.99 per cent, the maximum permitted without special approval, adding an average of £109 per household. However, several councils have secured permission to exceed this threshold, pushing rises significantly higher in some regions.
Seven councils have been authorised to implement above-limit increases. Shropshire, Worcestershire and North Somerset will introduce the steepest rises at 8.99 per cent.
Meanwhile, Warring, Trafford, and Windsor and Maidenhead will increase council tax by 7.49 per cent, while Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has been permitted a 6.74 per cent rise.
The latest figures highlight ongoing regional inequalities, with households in some of England’s most deprived areas continuing to face higher council tax burdens.
Residents in metropolitan regions, largely across the North and Midlands, will pay an average of £2,409 annually for a Band D property. In contrast, households in London boroughs will pay an average of £2,068.
Those under unitary authorities are expected to face average bills of £2,490, while county council areas will see charges of around £2,452.
Across England, the average Band D council tax for 2026/27 is projected to reach £2,392, marking an increase of £111, or 4.9 per cent, compared with the previous year, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
These figures include additional charges such as adult social care, parish precepts, and levies for police, fire and regional services.
This marks the fourth consecutive year in which average council tax increases have hovered around 5 per cent.
Shadow communities secretary James Cleverly criticised the increases, saying they were “cooked up in Whitehall”.
He added: “Keir Starmer promised to ease the cost of living and freeze council tax, yet families now face back-to-back hikes and a total council tax take rising by £2.6 million – another broken promise.”
The Local Government Association acknowledged the financial strain on households but said councils face difficult choices.
A spokesperson said authorities are “acutely aware” of the pressures on residents, adding: “While council tax is an important funding stream, it cannot solve the long-term pressures facing councils, raising different amounts in different parts of the country – unrelated to need.”
They added: “Significant new funding, alongside long-term reform of the local government finance system, remains desperately needed to protect the financial sustainability of councils and ensure they can deliver the services communities expect.”