Mark Whitehead 13 June 2023

Council tax up nearly 80% in three decades

Council tax up nearly 80% in three decades image
Image: ShaunWilkinson / Shutterstock.com.

Council tax has increased by 79% in real terms on average since it was introduced 30 years ago, according to new figures.

The TaxPayers' Alliance says a typical band D property occupier must now pay £2,065 compared to £568 in 1993-94.

Its research shows there have been 9,462 individual council tax increases, compared to only 404 freezes and 363 cuts, while 57% of authorities have never reduced the charge.

The Local Government Association (LGA) pointed out that Whitehall has relied on councils raising their own taxes to fund their spending on rising demand for services.

A spokesman for the LGA said: 'In recent years, the Government has relied on council tax raising powers to increase councils’ core spending power.

'Faced with the increased cost of providing local services and rising demand for support, councils have faced the tough choice about whether to increase bills to bring in desperately needed funding to protect services at the same time as being acutely aware of the significant burden that could place on some households.

'While council tax is an important funding stream, it is not the solution to the long-term pressures facing councils.

'Councils want to work with Government on a long-term funding plan which ensures they have adequate resources, certainty and freedoms to deliver local services.'

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Adult Social Care

Stoke-on-Trent City Council
£111,136 -£116,521
Stoke-on-Trent is an ambitious council, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Recuriter: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Programme Director for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Suffolk County Council
£110,100 - £121,785 per annum
In Suffolk, we’re reimagining what local government can achieve. Suffolk
Recuriter: Suffolk County Council

Social Work Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 - £31,022
We are looking to appoint a Social Work Assistant to work within the Easington Locality.   The team provides an effective and efficient Assessment and Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker For People with Dual Sensory Loss

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - Pre Progression (£35,412 - £39,152) - Grade 11 - Post Progression (£40,777 - £45,091)
Do you have experience of working with people who have dual sensory loss?  Are you a Social Worker or a Visual Impaired Rehabilitation Worker?   We ha Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Community Wellbeing Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
Temporary until March 2028 - 30 hour post  Wellbing Sport and Leisure are looking for a Wellbeing Assistant to join their team in the East and West o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner