Council tax bills to rise from 1 April - here's what's happening and what to do about it
Council tax bills are set to rise for millions of households from 1 April, with the majority seeing total increases of around 3%. We've tips on how to reduce your bill below and a list of how much local councils will charge across England, Scotland and Wales.
The tables we've put together at the bottom of this piece provide a council-by-council guide on the planned price increases but they should only be used as a rough guide, as the way bills are calculated is complex and so you'll need to visit your council's website or wait for your annual statement to arrive to confirm your final bill.
The hikes come as the cost of living crisis escalates, with rises to national insurance payments and the energy price cap also happening next month. If you're struggling, see our Cost of living crisis help.
Three tips on how to reduce your council tax bill
If your bills are rising, here are a few tips and some info on ways you can reduce your council tax.
Properties in bands A-D will receive a non-repayable £150 rebate, so set-up a direct debit to receive it. About 20 million households in England – those with homes in council tax bands A to D – will get a £150 rebate in April. To guarantee you get it in good time, we recommend you set up a direct debit now so that your local authority has your bank account details and can give you the money as quickly as possible. You can cancel the direct debit once you receive your payment.
100,000s are in the wrong council tax band - check you're not set to pay more than you owe. Many homes are in the wrong council tax band, and have been since 1991. It's well worth asking: "What council tax band am I in?" If you're concerned your property could be in the wrong band there are steps you can follow to check and challenge your band:
- Check the band your neighbours are in. The most important step is to find out if your band's higher than your neighbours in similar or identical properties. You could simply ask them, but there's no need to as it's public info. The band of every property can be found online in England (Valuation Office Agency) and Scotland (Scottish Assessors' Association).
(Wales does have a council tax system, but a nationwide revaluation was done there in 2003, so errors are less likely and less long-standing (though you can still challenge if you think it's wrong.)
- A second crucial step is to estimate what your home was worth in 1991, as that's when and how the council tax bands were defined. This CAN'T be used as evidence if you challenge your band. But it's an important test to see that you're on the right track if you do decide to challenge.
Challenging your band is not something to do speculatively without the checks though, for one simple reason - you can't just ask for your band to be lowered – only for a reassessment, which means it could be moved up or down. For full information on how to do this see our Challenge Your Council Tax Band guide.
Check if you're eligible for a council tax discount - some could save £1,000s. Many people are eligible for discounts of between 25% to 100% off their council tax bill, saving £100s – or even £1,000s – each year. However, it's up to YOU to flag to your local council whether you might be eligible for a discount. The table below details the discount you may be entitled to:
How council tax bill hikes are calculated
Council tax bills are complex and are typically made up of various different elements. Plus, exactly how much you'll pay also depends on your council tax band, which is based on your property's value.
In Scotland and Wales, your 2022/23 bill is split into a number of elements:
Your local council element. The maximum increase is set at 3% for Scotland, while there's no cap on rises in Wales. This maximum increase also includes any funding towards adult social care, which isn't usually detailed separately as it is in England and Wales (see below).
Other associated costs. This includes any charges for parish/town councils.
In England, any increase to your bill can be made up of some or all of the following elements in 2022/23 - though how much you'll pay in total depends on which elements apply to you:
Your local council element - though this can be split into two parts. The maximum this can rise by is 1.99% or £5 (whichever is higher) with this funding going towards council services. - If you live in a 'single-tier authority', where one council looks after all your services, there will be one fee to pay.
- For those in 'two-tier authorities', where two councils cover services, there are two fees - one set by your county council, and another set by your district, borough or city council. How much of your bill goes towards each council varies by authority, but county councils tend to take the largest share.
An additional, separate 'mayoral' charge for those in London and Manchester. This is rising by a flat rate of 8.8% in London and by a flat rate of 7.7% in Manchester. These rates are set by the two mayors and cover the cost of services such as policing and fire safety.
A charge for adult social care. The maximum this can rise by is 1%. This charge is usually included alongside your council rate, meaning a combined total increase for many of 2.99%.
Other associated costs. The maximum increase for this is set by the local council. This covers fees to police and crime commissions, fire and rescue services and any town/parish councils.
Some councils are increasing bills by 5%
However, on top of the above elements some councils are able to carry over any increases not used in previous years, which means some households may see larger hikes. Based on the council tax and adult social care elements alone, some councils are increasing bills by more than 2.99%, with five councils hiking rates by 5% (see the map below) - plus, any other associated costs due on top.
Figures rounded to one significant figure.
How much the council element of tax bills in England will rise by
The tables detail how much the local council element of bills will rise by in 2022/23, including any adult social care rates. The tables do not include any other associated charges or the mayoral increases for those in London and Manchester. To work our your total % increase you'll need to visit your council's website or wait for your annual statement to arrive - which should be dropping on doormats very shortly if it hasn't already.
How much council tax bills in Scotland will rise
The table does not include any smaller associated charges from the likes of parish and/or town councils. To work our your total percentage increase you'll need to visit your council's website or wait for your annual statement to arrive.
Council (Tax hike 2022/23) |
|---|
Aberdeen City Council (3.00%) |
Aberdeenshire Council (3.00%) |
Angus Council (2.95%) |
Argyll and Bute Council (3.00%) |
City of Edinburgh Council (3.00%) |
Clackmannanshire Council (3.00%) |
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (3.00%) |
Dumfries and Galloway Council (3.00%) |
Dundee City Council (2.90%) |
East Ayrshire Council (3.00%) |
East Dunbartonshire Council (3.00%) |
East Lothian Council (3.00%) |
East Renfrewshire Council (3.50%) |
Falkirk Council (4.00%) |
Fife Council (3.00%) |
Glasgow City Council (3.00%) |
Inverclyde Council (1.95%) |
Midlothian Council (2.38%) |
North Ayrshire Council (3.00%) |
North Lanarkshire Council (3.00%) |
Orkney Islands Council (3.00%) |
Perth and Kinross Council (2.50%) |
Renfrewshire Council (3.00%) |
Scottish Borders Council (3.00%) |
Shetland Islands Council (no hike) |
South Ayrshire Council (2.90%) |
South Lanarkshire Council (2.50%) |
Stirling Council (3.00%) |
The Highland Council (3.00%) |
The Moray Council (3.00%) |
West Dunbartonshire Council (3.00%) |
West Lothian Council (3.00%) |
Based on properties in Band D. Figures include any increase to adult social care.
Scottish Council Tax Hikes
How council tax bills in Wales will rise
The table does not include any smaller associated charges from the likes of parish and/or town councils. To work our your total percentage increase you'll need to visit your council's website or wait for your annual statement to arrive.
Council (Tax hike 2022/23) |
|---|
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (no hike) |
Bridgend County Borough Council (no hike) |
Caerphilly County Borough Council (2.50%) |
Carmarthenshire County Council (2.50%) |
Ceredigion County Council (2.50%) |
City and County of Swansea (0.95%) |
City of Cardiff Council (1.90%) |
Conwy County Borough Council (3.95%) |
Denbighshire County Council (2.95%) |
Flintshire County Council (3.95%) |
Gwynedd County Council (2.95%) |
Isle of Anglesey County Council (2.00%) |
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (1.00%) |
Monmouthshire County Council (3.95%) |
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (no hike) |
Newport City Council (2.40%) |
Pembrokeshire County Council (5.00%) |
Powys County Council (3.39%) |
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (1.00%) |
Torfaen County Borough Council (1.95%) |
Vale of Glamorgan Council (2.90%) |
Wrexham County Borough Council (4.00%) |
Based on properties in Band D. Figures include any increase to adult social care.
Welsh Council Tax Hikes
Share this guide?
10 December 2024
Clever ways to calculate your finances
