NOTE: The original version of this press release stated that Nottingham had increased its council tax in cash terms more than any other English local authority since 1993. This has now been corrected.
Embargoed: 00:01 Tuesday 13th June 2023
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The average band D council tax bill in England has more than tripled to over £2,000 since its introduction 30 years ago, a real terms increase of 79 per cent.
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244 councils (57 per cent of the total) have never decreased their level of council tax.
- From 1993-94 up to 2023-24, there were 9,462 individual council tax increases, compared to 404 freezes and just 363 cuts.
Just months after households were dealt record local rate rises, analysis by the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) reveals that the average band D council tax bill in England has risen by 79 per cent in real terms since the charge was introduced 30 years ago.
When council tax was introduced in 1993-94, the average annual band D council tax bill in England was £568. 30 years later the average level for 2023-24 is £2,065.
From 1993-94 up to 2023-24, there were 9,462 individual council tax increases, compared to 404 freezes and just 363 cuts. Over the past 30 years 244 councils (57 per cent of the total) have never decreased their level of council tax.
Rutland increased its council tax in cash terms more than any other English local authority since 1993, by £1,904 from £518 to £2,422. Wandsworth has increased its council tax less in real terms than any other local authority since 1993, at just 1 per cent. Huntingdonshire increased its council tax in real terms more than any other English local authority, from £434 to £2,192.
The TPA is calling on councils to reign in wasteful spending and pointless pet projects to stop the council tax burden growing even higher.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE RESEARCH
Key findings:
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On introduction in 1993-94 the average annual band D council tax bill in England was £568. Thirty years later the average level for 2023-24 is £2,065 which, after adjusting for inflation, is a real terms increase of 79 per cent.
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Over the past 30 years 244 councils (57 per cent of the total) have never decreased their level of council tax.
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From 1993-94 up to 2023-24, there were 9,462 individual council tax increases, compared to 404 freezes and just 363 cuts.
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Huntingdonshire council has increased its council tax in real terms by 149 per cent since 1993, more than any other local authority. In second place is South Cambridgeshire council, which has recently gone down to a four-day week for staff.
- Rutland increased its council tax in cash terms more than any other English local authority since 1993, by £1,904 from £518 to £2,422.
- Wandsworth has increased its council tax less in real terms than any other local authority since 1993, at just 1 per cent.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE RESEARCH
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Households in every corner of the country are being hammered by higher rates year after year.
“Three decades since its introduction, the relentless climb of council tax shows no sign of reaching its peak.
“Only by cutting wasteful spending and binning pointless pet projects can town hall bosses bear down on the council tax burden.”
TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Conor Holohan
Media Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
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Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
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TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
- The TPA previously released 20 years of Council Tax.