A clear majority will see their council tax bills go up by 4.99%. Use The Mirror’s handy widget to see how much the tax will go up in your area from today
Council tax bills will increase across the country from today(Image: Getty Images/Tetra images RF)
Council tax bills across the country will rise from today with the vast majority of town halls hiking the levy to fund vital services.
The average Band D property will see a £111 hike for 2026-2027, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
This is due to a clear majority of cash-strapped local authorities increasing the bill by the maximum amount – as has been the case in recent years. This stands at 4.99% without the need for town halls to trigger a referendum of residents.
Many councils say it is necessary to fund services including bin collections, libraries, and leisure centres amid a bleak financial backdrop.
But some local authorities including Reform-controlled Worcestershire County Council were given special permission by the government earlier this year to go beyond the maximum. Others include Trafford and Warrington – both Labour-controlled – North Somerset, Shropshire, and Worcestershire. These areas range from 6.74% to almost 9%.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Councils are responsible for their own tax levels and we are clear they should keep taxes on working people as low as possible. We have also made £78 billion available for their finances next year, with the majority of money unringfenced so local leaders can decide for themselves how best to spend on their local priorities.”
How much will my Council Tax go up?
Enter your postcode and select your council tax band in our searchable widget below to see the projected rise in your area.
How do I know what my Council Tax band is?
Houses are ‘banded’ from Band A to Band H depending on how valuable they are (based on the price they would have sold for on April 1 1991). A formula is then applied to the Band D rate to determine how much you pay.
Band D is intended to represent the average home, but in some areas – such as poorer parts of the north of England – the majority of homes are actually in Band A. So some councils dispute the idea that a Band D home is ‘average’ because most people are in the cheapest bracket. You can find out your Council Tax band here or check last year’s bill.
What our search tool includes
Council tax is split into “precepts”, imposed by different authorities, and they all rise at different rates. These cover services provided in your area such as fire and police, as well as social care. We have calculated our figures using the rise in by far the biggest section of your bill – your social care authority. This is either your County, Metropolitan Borough, London Borough or Unitary council, depending on where you live. The figures are taken from documents provided by these councils. Our tool covers postcodes in England.
Do I get a council tax discount?
Several groups of people are able to get a discount on their council tax – or not pay it at all.
They include:
- Full-time students (100% off)
- Armed Forces in Forces accommodation (100% off)
- People who have moved into a care home or hospital (100% off)
- People who live alone (25% off)
- Apprentices, student nurses, monks and nuns, carers (up to 50% off)
But if you live in a mixed household then you may still have to pay the full rate. You can check if you are eligible here.
I’m a council officer or councillor and have a query about the figures
The data was sourced from official council documents. However, the figures can be subject to change, so if you believe your area’s figures need to be updated, please email ashley.cowburn@mirror.co.uk and lizzy.buchan@mirror.co.uk with the subject line ‘Council Tax’.
Search tool created by DAVID DUBAS-FISHER of the REACH DATA UNIT
