Title

FINANCE

Council tax to rise by 3.7% on average

The average council tax bill is expected to increase by 3.7% in 2020/21, new analysis has revealed.

The average council tax bill is expected to increase by 3.7% in 2020/21, new analysis has revealed.

CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) said council tax bills have risen consistently every year since 2012, with households facing an average increase of £64.65.

Chief executive officer of CIPFA, Rob Whiteman, said: ‘Today's findings illustrate that local authorities across the country are putting up their council tax to fight the ongoing legacy of austerity.

'The simple fact is that council tax, along with business rates and central government grant, is no longer enough to fund increased demand on vital public services, including social care.

'These funding mechanisms remain in an unsustainable position for the long term.'

The Local Government Association (LGA) said a third of extra council tax income for adult social care services will be spent covering the cost of the 'unforeseen' increase to the National Living Wage.

Chair of the LGA's resources board, Cllr Richard Watts, said: 'Faced with ongoing funding pressures such as homelessness and looking after vulnerable children, councils continue to be left with little choice but to ask residents to pay more to help them try to protect their local services.'

FINANCE

Stability, partnership and delivery

By Sir James Cleverly | 02 October 2025

As delegates prepare to head to the Conservative party conference, Sir James Cleverly highlights the pressures councils face on asylum, funding, housing and ...

FINANCE

The essential role of agencies in council's recruitment and retention

By Cieran Donnelly | 02 October 2025

At a time of ongoing change, temporary staff can fulfil a vital role in maintaining the high performance of your organisation – and strategic agency partners...

FINANCE

Dear secretary of state – part 2

By Steve Leach | 01 October 2025

As the new secretary of state Steve Reed settles into his new role, Steve Leach and Colin Copus tell him that now is not a good time for a ‘disruptive, expen...

FINANCE

Streeting announces care worker pay boost

By Dan Peters | 30 September 2025

Health secretary Wes Streeting has announced plans to boost pay for care workers from 2028, backed by an initial £500m of funding.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman