Warning of service cuts despite 5% increase in average council tax bills

Councils have called on the Government to recognise unprecedented financial pressures caused by inflation and rising demand.

(Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Archive)

Annual council tax bills in England will rise by an average of 5.1% in April, as England’s local authorities warn of cuts to key services due to unprecedented financial pressures.

Government figures released on Thursday show the average bill will be £2,065 in 2023-24, an increase of £99 on the previous year, with 151 of the 153 top-tier councils applying some or all of the maximum 2% precept for social care.

The biggest annual percentage rise will be in London, where bills for an average band D property will increase by 6.2%.