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Council Tax Hikes: England Faces Bill Shock
1 Apr
Summary
- England's top-tier councils finalized tax increases for April 1.
- Most authorities approved rises near the 4.99% referendum limit.
- Seven councils were permitted to exceed the cap, some by 8.99%.

Council tax bills across England are set to rise from April 1, with all 153 top-tier local authorities finalizing their increases for the new financial year. The majority of these councils have opted for rises at or close to the 4.99% threshold, a figure that allows them to increase bills without requiring a local referendum. This established limit sets a benchmark for the majority of English local government finance adjustments this year.
However, a select group of seven councils have been granted special permission to implement increases exceeding the standard 4.99% cap. Among these are North Somerset, Shropshire, and Worcestershire, each authorized to raise their council tax by up to a significant 8.99%. Other local authorities, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council at 6.74%, and Trafford, Warrington, and Windsor and Maidenhead approving around 7.5%, also confirmed substantial bill increases for residents.