The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has officially published comprehensive data on average council tax levels across England for the upcoming 2026-27 financial year. This detailed release provides a complete breakdown for all 296 local authority areas, focusing on Band D properties to offer a standardised comparison for taxpayers nationwide.
Understanding the Council Tax Figures
The figures represent the average total council tax for a Band D property in each area, incorporating various additional charges that residents typically face. These include the adult social care levy, parish precepts, and extra fees for police, fire, and regional authorities. By presenting these amounts, the data aims to help ordinary council tax payers gauge how their bills compare with others across the country, offering transparency in local government financing.
Categories and Organisation
The list is meticulously organised into four distinct categories to enhance clarity and accessibility:
- Metropolitan boroughs
- London boroughs
- Unitary authorities
- District and county councils
Each category is arranged alphabetically, displaying from left to right: the local authority name, the average total council tax for a Band D property in 2026-27, the previous year's figure for 2025-26 in brackets, and the exact rise from 2025-26 to 2026-27. This structured format allows for easy navigation and direct year-on-year comparisons, highlighting trends in local taxation.
Key Highlights from the Data
Among the metropolitan boroughs, Gateshead records one of the highest averages at £2,715.81, reflecting a rise of £137.35 from the previous year. In contrast, Doncaster shows a more moderate increase, with an average of £2,167.75, up by £57.25. London boroughs exhibit significant variation, with Wandsworth maintaining the lowest average at £1,028.21, a minimal rise of £30.46, while Kingston upon Thames reaches £2,609.20, an increase of £119.86.
Unitary authorities see Dorset at the top with an average of £2,765.02, up by £134.72, whereas the Isles of Scilly report a lower figure of £2,047.96, rising by £97.93. For district and county councils, the data includes combined charges from both district and county levels, as residents in these areas receive bills covering both. For instance, Adur's figure of £2,548.28 includes contributions from both Adur district council and West Sussex county council, illustrating the layered nature of council tax in such regions.
Notable Increases and Trends
Several areas stand out for substantial rises. In the unitary authorities category, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole experience a significant jump of £170.80, bringing their average to £2,435.58. Similarly, Shropshire sees a notable increase of £209.38, reaching £2,528.18. Among district and county councils, Wyre Forest records one of the highest rises at £184.98, resulting in an average of £2,512.47.
These figures underscore the ongoing financial pressures on local governments, potentially linked to factors like inflation, increased service demands, and funding changes. The data serves as a crucial resource for residents, policymakers, and analysts to monitor and understand the evolving landscape of local taxation in England.
