How much did council tax go up on average in 2025-26?

Council tax went up by an average of 4.9% in 2025-26 across English councils.

Which council had the biggest council tax rise in 2025-26?

Bradford Council had the biggest rise — 9.3% (£191.00 more than last year).

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Council Tax Increases 2025-26

Council tax in England rose by an average of 4.9% in 2025-26. The biggest rise was Bradford Council at 9.3%. The smallest change was Lincolnshire County Council at 3.0%.

Biggest rises

The 20 councils with the largest rises since last year

1. Bradford Council+9.3%

£2,055.00 → £2,246.00+£191.00

2. Windsor & Maidenhead Council+8.3%

£1,684.00 → £1,824.00+£140.00

3. Newham+7.7%

£1,724.00 → £1,856.00+£132.00

4. Trafford Council+7.6%

£1,973.00 → £2,123.00+£150.00

5. Somerset Council+7.6%

£2,267.00 → £2,439.00+£172.00

6. Birmingham Council+7.4%

£2,091.00 → £2,245.00+£154.00

7. North Somerset Council+6.0%

£2,165.00 → £2,295.00+£130.00

8. York Council+5.9%

£2,053.00 → £2,175.00+£122.00

9. North Yorkshire Council+5.9%

£2,283.00 → £2,418.00+£135.00

10. Bolton Council+5.6%

£2,147.00 → £2,267.00+£120.00

11. Wigan Council+5.6%

£1,924.00 → £2,031.00+£107.00

12. Manchester Council+5.6%

£2,068.00 → £2,183.00+£115.00

13. Tameside Council+5.5%

£2,191.00 → £2,312.00+£121.00

14. Salford Council+5.5%

£2,324.00 → £2,452.00+£128.00

15. Bury Council+5.5%

£2,289.00 → £2,415.00+£126.00

16. Rochdale Council+5.5%

£2,330.00 → £2,458.00+£128.00

17. Oldham Council+5.5%

£2,331.00 → £2,459.00+£128.00

18. Bolsover District Council+5.5%

£2,321.00 → £2,448.00+£127.00

19. Swindon Council+5.5%

£2,198.00 → £2,318.00+£120.00

20. Stockport Council+5.5%

£2,347.00 → £2,475.00+£128.00

Smallest changes

The 20 councils with the smallest changes since last year

1. Lincolnshire County Council+3.0%

£1,579.00 → £1,626.00+£47.00

2. Wandsworth+3.0%

£969.00 → £998.00+£29.00

3. Lincoln District Council+3.2%

£2,191.00 → £2,261.00+£70.00

4. West Lindsey District Council+3.2%

£2,209.00 → £2,280.00+£71.00

5. Rotherham Council+3.3%

£2,211.00 → £2,283.00+£72.00

6. South Holland District Council+3.3%

£2,135.00 → £2,205.00+£70.00

7. Boston District Council+3.3%

£2,165.00 → £2,237.00+£72.00

8. North Kesteven District Council+3.4%

£2,187.00 → £2,261.00+£74.00

9. South Kesteven District Council+3.4%

£2,115.00 → £2,187.00+£72.00

10. East Lindsey District Council+3.4%

£2,129.00 → £2,202.00+£73.00

11. Harlow District Council+3.6%

£2,140.00 → £2,216.00+£76.00

12. Essex County Council+3.7%

£1,523.00 → £1,580.00+£57.00

13. Castle Point District Council+3.9%

£2,143.00 → £2,227.00+£84.00

14. Basildon District Council+4.0%

£2,159.00 → £2,245.00+£86.00

15. Chelmsford District Council+4.0%

£2,122.00 → £2,207.00+£85.00

16. Tendring District Council+4.0%

£2,094.00 → £2,178.00+£84.00

17. Braintree District Council+4.0%

£2,110.00 → £2,195.00+£85.00

18. Brentwood District Council+4.0%

£2,083.00 → £2,167.00+£84.00

19. Colchester District Council+4.0%

£2,107.00 → £2,192.00+£85.00

20. Kensington & Chelsea+4.1%

£1,530.00 → £1,592.00+£62.00