Embargoed: 22:30, Monday 20th January 2024
- TaxPayers’ Alliance launches digital and grassroots campaign against the proposed 25 per cent council tax rise in Windsor and Maidenhead
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TPA analysis finds that Windsor and Maidenhead is in the top 20, or top third, of unitary authorities in terms of average council tax paid per dwelling
- In Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead would go from being the second lowest level of council tax per dwelling to the third highest if the rise went ahead, adding £451 onto the average bill
The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) are today (Tuesday 21st January) launching a campaign against proposals by the Windsor and Maidenhead council (RBWM) to increase council tax by 25 per cent. This comes after the group revealed in December that this would be the largest in England for two decades if it comes into effect.
RBWM are currently consulting on a 2025/26 draft budget, which includes a recommendation that the council seek permission from the government to increase council tax by 20 percentage points above the referendum cap level of 4.99 per cent.
The council claims that it has a “significantly lower level of council tax income compared to most other authorities”, however new TPA analysis published today reveals that this is an incomplete picture of council tax rates among comparable councils. While RBWM has the lowest band D rate of any unitary authority in England at £1,333, when the average level of council tax actually paid by residents is assessed, RBWM is in the top 20, or the top third, of unitary authorities at £1,803 on average. This is because RBWM has a significant number of higher band houses compared to other unitary authorities.
And while RBWM has the second lowest council tax rate when looking at average council tax per dwelling, as opposed to average band D council tax rate, among the six authorities in Berkshire, a 25 per cent tax rise would mean it jumps to third place, ahead of Bracknell Forest, Reading and Slough and only behind Wokingham and West Berkshire. A 25 per cent increase would add £451 to the average council tax bill in RBWM.
The TPA will be campaigning on the ground across the council area, including street stalls and leafleting as well as a targeted digital campaign encouraging residents to write to their councillors to protest the proposals.
Table: top and bottom five unitary authorities and Windsor and Maidenhead by average council tax per dwelling, 2024-25 (£)
Key findings:
- A 25 per cent tax rise would be the largest increase in council tax for a local authority in England since 2005-06, when South Cambridgeshire council increased rates by almost 33 per cent.
- The average Band D council tax rate in Windsor and Maidenhead is £1,333, which is the lowest of any unitary authority. But when measured by the average council tax actually paid per dwelling, £1,803, it jumps to the top 20, or top third, of all unitary authorities.
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If the 25 per cent tax increase goes ahead it would mean the average household in RBWM would pay an extra £451 per year.
Benjamin Elks, grassroots development manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Local taxpayers will be alarmed by these proposals that would leave household finances in tatters.
“With their own budgets already squeezed, the people of Windsor and Maidenhead are being asked to bail out a town hall that refuses to live within its means.
“Councillors must reconsider these plans and instead focus on cracking down on waste and delivering value for money for residents.”
Jack Rankin, MP for Windsor, said:
“The Lib Dems’ shocking plan to force my constituents to swallow an extra 25% on their Council tax bill and make them pay for their own failures is shameful.
“If the Labour government approves this unprecedented hike, it will see the Royal Borough move into the top twenty of all unitary Councils across Britain for Council tax.
“That’s why I’ve written to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner – and called on the Prime Minister directly in PMQs – urging them to reject this ludicrous rise.“
TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Elliot Keck
Head of Campaigns, 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 research council.