Abuse and intimidation of local councillors is worsening across the UK, according to the latest Debate Not Hate survey, with more than half of respondents reporting a rise in such incidents over the past year.

The survey, run annually since 2022 by the Local Government Association (LGA), was this year expanded in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Northern Ireland Local Government Association to capture experiences from principal authority councillors across all four nations. More than 1,500 councillors took part.

The findings paint a troubling picture. Seventy-eight per cent of councillors said they felt some level of personal risk in their role, rising to over 85% among female, ethnic minority, LGBT+ or disabled councillors.

Fifty-two per cent reported abuse had increased over the past 12 months, a quarter saying sharply so. During the 2026 local election campaign, 74% of English councillors experienced abuse or intimidation, as did more than two-thirds of their Welsh and Scottish counterparts during devolved elections.

Most alarming were reports of direct threats: 26% of councillors said they had received threats of violence, and 7% a threat of death. Among those considering standing down, 30% cited abuse as a factor, while over a third had made security changes to their homes.

There has been some progress. Awareness of Force Elected Official Advisers, who support councillor safety within police forces, has grown sharply, and legal changes have ended the requirement to publish councillors' home addresses in England.

Yet confidence in police response remains mixed, with councillors evenly split on whether reported incidents were adequately addressed. The four local government associations are now urging the UK Government to work with devolved administrations and policing partners on coordinated action, warning that failure to act risks deterring people from standing for public office altogether.

Comments

Cllr Hannah Dalton, LGA Civility in Public Life Ambassador, said: ‘The findings of the 2026 Debate Not Hate survey are a stark reminder that abuse, threats and intimidation have become an all too common reality for those who step forward to serve their communities. We must never accept a situation where harassment and personal attacks are simply regarded as part of public service.’

Cllr Shona Morrison, President of COSLA, said: ‘Councillors and Councils are a vital part of democracy, and it is unacceptable that 81% of Scottish councillors have felt some level of risk whilst carrying out their role. With local government elections taking place next year, there is a real concern that we will lose talented, experienced and committed councillors due to this environment.’

Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, WLGA Llywydd, and Cllr Jason McLellan, WLGA Social Justice and Equality Spokesperson, added: ‘The first-ever four nations Debate Not Hate survey marks an important milestone in our shared efforts to understand and tackle abuse and intimidation in public life.’

Alderman Hazel Legge, President of the NILGA, said: ‘The findings are concerning and highlight the very real challenges many councillors face. As Northern Ireland looks ahead to the next local government elections, we must ensure that no one is discouraged from standing for office because of abuse or intimidation.’

Further reading

Staying Safe in Local Elections: Challenges and support for candidates.

Standards Without Teeth: Why local government's code of conduct is failing