TaxPayers’ Alliance responds to new council tax data

Mar 21 2024

For immediate release

New data released today has revealed that average council tax bills have increased by £106 for band D taxpayers in England, the largest increase in council tax bills since 2003-04 when rates went up by £126. It is the second largest increase in cash terms since council tax was introduced. 


The 5.1 per cent average increase is the joint largest increase in percentage terms since 2004-05 when council tax bills went up by an average of 5.9 per cent for band D taxpayers.


Birmingham council is imposing the largest increase on residents of any councils, with band D bills going up by £163. Five councils, all district councils, froze or cut council tax. There were Fenland, East Cambridgeshire, Harlow, Harborough and Castle Point.


The local authorities which imposed the largest council tax increases in cash terms in 2024-25 (top tier only and excluding parish precepts) are:

  • Birmingham, which increased council tax by £163 for band D taxpayers
  • Slough, which increased council tax by £144 for band D taxpayers
  • Thurrock, which increased council tax by £126 for band D taxpayers
  • Gateshead, which increased council tax by £103 for band D taxpayers
  • Nottingham, which increased council tax by £102 for band D taxpayers
  • Rutland, which increased council tax by £100 for band D taxpayers
  • Bristol, which increased council tax by £100 for band D taxpayers
  • Walsall,, which increased council tax by £99 for band D taxpayers
  • Liverpool, which increased council tax by £97 for band D taxpayers
  • Reading, which increased council tax by £96 for band D taxpayers

The local authorities which imposed the smallest council tax increases in cash terms in 2024-25 (top tier only and excluding parish precepts) are:

  • Wandsworth, which increased council tax by £10 for band D taxpayers
  • Westminster, which increased council tax by £24 for band D taxpayers
  • Hammersmith and Fulham, which increased council tax by £44 for band D taxpayers
  • City of London, which increased council tax by £48 for band D taxpayers
  • Kensington and Chelsea, which increased council tax by £50 for band D taxpayers
  • Tower Hamlets, which increased council tax by £57 for band D taxpayers
  • Hartlepool, which increased council tax by £58 for band D taxpayers
  • Newham, which increased council tax by £60 for band D taxpayers
  • Rotherham, which increased council tax by £61 for band D taxpayers
  • Windsor and Maidenhead, which increased council tax by £62 for band D taxpayers

The local authorities with the largest increases in council tax in percentage terms in 2024-25 (for all local authorities and excluding parish precepts) are:

  • Woking, which increased council tax by 10 per cent 
  • Birmingham, which increased council tax by 10 per cent 
  • Slough, which increased council tax by 8.5 per cent 
  • Thurrock, which increased council tax by 8 per cent 
  • Somerset, which increased council tax by 7.7 per cent 

The local authorities with the smallest increases in council tax in percentage terms in 2024-25 (for all local authorities and excluding parish precepts) are:

  • Fenland, which reduced council tax by 0.2 per cent
  • Harlow, which froze council tax
  • Castle Point, which froze council tax
  • Harborough, which froze council tax
  • East Cambridgeshire, which froze council tax
  • Dartford, which increased council tax by 2 per cent
  • Newcastle-under-Lyme, which increased council tax by 2 per cent
  • Mid Suffolk, which increased council tax by 2 per cent
  • Wandsworth, which increased council tax by 2.1 per cent
  • North West Leicestershire, which increased council tax by 2.5 per cent

Responding to the data, Benjamin Elks, grassroots development manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:

“Local residents up and down the country are taking yet another hit to dwindling household budgets.

“With bright spots few and far between, the vast majority of taxpayers face a further increase to already sky-high bills.

“Councils should learn from the rare examples where rates were frozen to find out how they can achieve similar results next time round.”


TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)


Media contact:

Joanna Marchong

Investigations Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)



Notes to editors:

  1. 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.
  2. TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
  3. The TPA has previously produced research showing that council tax has increased in real terms by 79 per cent in the 30 years since its introduction

 

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