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

Assistant Finance and Business Development Manager

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £49,365 per annum
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Occupational Health Advisor

Durham County Council
£44,075 to £48,226 p.a. (Grade 12) pay award pending
Due to increased service demand we have an exciting opportunity for an additional Senior Occupational Health Nurse to join our well-established in-hou Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 / £40,777- £45,091 pro rata i.e. grade 9 pre progression/grade 11 post progression
We seek a full-time, permanent Social Worker who is calm under pressure and passionate about improving the lives of service users. WHAT IS INVOLVED? Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Young Person's Advisor

Durham County Council
Grade 8 - £32,597 - £36,363
X1 Young Person’s Advisor – Full-Time (Temporary for 12 months) An exciting opportunity has become available within the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Sufficiency Support Officer

Durham County Council
£28,142 - £31,022
Do you want your work to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in our care?   This is a brilliant opportunity to join a new Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner