Council tax notifications have begun arriving in mailboxes nationwide, informing residents about the upcoming increase in their bills starting from April. The majority of financially strained local authorities are planning to raise the tax by the maximum allowable percentage, which currently stands at 4.99%, without needing to seek resident approval through a referendum.
Many councils justify the increase as necessary to support essential services such as waste collection, libraries, and recreational facilities amid challenging financial circumstances. However, certain local authorities, including Worcestershire County Council under Reform control, have received government approval to exceed the maximum percentage increase. Other authorities granted this permission include Trafford, Warrington, North Somerset, Shropshire, and Worcestershire, with proposed increases ranging from 6.74% to nearly 9%.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government emphasized that councils have autonomy over their tax rates and should strive to keep taxes for working individuals at a minimum. The government has allocated £78 billion for council finances in the coming year, with most of the funding not restricted, allowing local leaders to determine the best allocation for their community priorities.
To view the projected council tax rise in your area effective April 1, 2026, simply input your postcode and select your council tax band using the interactive widget below. Council tax bands range from Band A to Band H based on property value, with the Band D rate serving as the benchmark for calculating payments.
Council tax is distributed into precepts by various authorities, each experiencing varying rate increases. These precepts cover local services like fire and police departments, as well as social care. Our calculations primarily focus on the social care component, which constitutes a significant portion of the total bill, issued by your County, Metropolitan Borough, London Borough, or Unitary council depending on your location.
Certain groups may qualify for council tax discounts or exemptions, while others may be liable for the full rate. Eligibility for discounts can be checked through the provided link.
The information presented is derived from official council sources, though figures are subject to change. For updates or corrections to your area’s data, please contact ashley.cowburn@mirror.co.uk and lizzy.buchan@mirror.co.uk with the subject line ‘Council Tax’.
