{"id":127778,"date":"2026-10-28T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=127778"},"modified":"2026-10-28T12:19:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T12:19:20","slug":"council-tax-warning-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/council-tax-warning-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Tax Warning: Your Bill Could Soar Under New Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thousands of households in London could face higher council tax bills next year<\/strong>, with three councils seeking permission to raise charges beyond the usual 5% limit. Barnet, Bromley and Lambeth have all asked the Government for permission to increase council tax as they deal with substantial funding gaps.<\/p>\n

Barnet Could Raise Council Tax By 32%<\/h2>\n

Barnet<\/strong> is seeking permission for a rise of up to 32%<\/strong>. For an average Band D property, the annual bill would rise from around \u00a31,622 to \u00a32,060<\/strong>, an increase of about \u00a3438.<\/p>\n

The council faces a projected \u00a3200 million funding gap by 2030<\/strong>, which it attributes to reduced government funding and higher social care costs.<\/p>\n

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Bromley And Lambeth Also Want Higher Bills<\/h2>\n

Bromley<\/strong> has asked to increase council tax above the standard 5% limit but has not yet said how large the rise could be. The council says a reduction of more than \u00a330 million in funding<\/strong> has left it with few alternatives.<\/p>\n

Lambeth<\/strong> is also seeking permission for a rise above 5%. The council faces a projected \u00a3130 million funding gap<\/strong>, although the size of any increase has not yet been decided.<\/p>\n

Thousands Of Homes Could Be Affected<\/h2>\n

Research from estate agent Hamptons<\/strong> estimates that around 3,600 homes in Barnet<\/strong>, 1,300 in Bromley and nearly 3,000 in Lambeth could be affected by the proposed increases, reports The Sun<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The councils would need government approval before introducing rises above the usual limit.<\/p>\n

Some Councils Are Planning Much Larger Increases<\/h2>\n

The proposed increases come after warnings from other London authorities. Hammersmith and Fulham<\/strong> has warned that council tax<\/a> could rise by between 100% and 150%<\/strong>. The upper end of that range would add around \u00a31,508 a year<\/strong> to the average Band D bill.<\/p>\n

Wandsworth<\/strong> is considering a 94% increase<\/strong>, which could add around \u00a3958 to the average Band D bill. Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and the City of London are also considering double-digit increases.<\/p>\n

Outside London, Windsor and Maidenhead<\/strong> is considering a rise of around 25%.<\/p>\n

Why Councils Are Seeking Higher Tax Revenue<\/h2>\n

Council tax is normally subject to a 5% annual limit<\/strong>, although councils can request additional flexibility from the Government in exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n

The councils seeking larger increases say changes to local government funding have created financial pressure. Higher social care costs<\/strong> have also contributed to the funding gaps faced by several authorities.<\/p>\n

The Government says its updated funding system is designed to direct more money towards areas with greater need while supporting councils during the transition.<\/p>\n

Government Says London Is Receiving More Funding<\/h2>\n

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said \u00a311.5 billion<\/strong> is being made available to London councils.<\/p>\n

It said this represents an increase of more than 38% since 2024-25<\/strong>, with the funding taking account of pressures including the cost of temporary accommodation.<\/p>\n

The final council tax increases will depend on government decisions and the individual councils’ budget processes. For residents, the proposed changes could mean very different bills depending on where they live.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udea8Labour\u2019s Tax Squeeze Pushes Families into Record \u00a37.4bn Council Tax Debt

Official Ministry of Housing data shows unpaid council tax arrears across England have exploded to a record \u00a37.4 billion\u2014up a staggering \u00a3782 million in just twelve months. Average Band D bills jumped\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/xRAcusCHgs<\/a><\/p>— Enough\u2019s Enough (@Enoughsenough00) October 25, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>