Council tax on the rise – here’s the cost in your area

Households have been told to prepare for council tax payments as some may be paying close to £200 extra this year.

Home insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk have calculated the expected rise of council tax across 15 councils in England for homes in band D.

In the 2024/25 tax year, millions of households will be expected to pay an average of £112 more towards their council tax.

Councils are able to increase their tax rates by 4.99%, but those with government permission can raise the rate by over 5%.

Birmingham City Council is likely to impose a hike of 10%* – meaning residents will be paying £190.57 more from April, meaning an annual fee of £2,096.30.

Out of the 15 cities that have been analysed, only three will see a hike of less than £100 – Manchester, Leeds and York.

York will see the lowest increase in council tax – with fees rising by just under £80, from £1,570.42 to £1,648.78.

Residents in Manchester and Leeds will both be paying £98.20 and £97.72 more each year, respectively.

Nottingham households will see one of the biggest increases at £120.34 – however some residents may see a larger rise after the city recently announced its effective bankruptcy.**

Those living in Bristol currently pay some of the highest council tax rates in the country, which is set to rise to £2462.26, an annual increase of £117.02.

Southampton residents will be expected to pay over £102 more on their annual council tax payments, whilst for households in Oxford, bills will increase by more than £116.

Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said that households across the country should check to see how much their annual bills could be increasing by.

He said: “Residents should check if the band they’re in is correct, any changes to your property and you could be able to propose a new band.***

“Any single-adult households are also eligible for a 25% discount on council tax.  You’re also exempt from council tax payments for several reasons, including if you’re a full-time student or a live-in carer.****

“Our research shows how much council tax is expected to increase in 15 cities across England for band D properties, to help households prepare.

“The majority of residents will be paying over £100 more on their annual bills – only Manchester, Leeds and York will see a lesser increase.

“Out of the 15 councils analysed, only five will be paying less than £2,200 for their tax bill. Nottingham residents will be paying the most at £2,531.99 from April and York the least at £1,648.78 – which is still an increase of almost £80 a year.

“Residents in Newcastle are predicted to pay over £108 more whilst those living in Brighton could see an increase of over £111 on their annual council tax bill.

“Our research will hopefully help households all over England start to re-budget their finances in preparation for the council tax increase in April. There are ways people can find savings on everyday bills and essentials and our price comparison site is a good way to start comparing products and services, helping families cut out any waste and reduce costs where possible.”

References:

*https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4nkzejrrx4o

**https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-67380096

***https://www.gov.uk/challenge-council-tax-band

****https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay

Council tax sources:

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500336/how_its_worked_out/6306/council_tax_bands_and_charges
https://liverpool.gov.uk/council-tax/how-much/
https://exeter.gov.uk/council-tax/how-much-is-my-council-tax/bands-and-charges-2023-2024/
https://new.newcastle.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-explained/council-tax-bands
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/council-tax/bands-and-charges
https://www.york.gov.uk/CouncilTaxCharges
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/council-tax-bands-and-charges
https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/council-tax/check-council-tax-band
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/council-tax/charges-and-bands
https://www.norwich.gov.uk/info/20002/council_tax/17/council_tax_bands_and_charges
https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-information-0/how-much-council-tax
https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/information-for-residents/council-tax/general-information-about-your-council-tax/bands-and-charges/
https://www.southampton.gov.uk/council-tax/information/bands/
https://www.oxford.gov.uk/council-tax-bands-charges/council-tax-charges (Blackbird Leys)
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20005/council_tax/224/council_tax_bands_and_charges (City Council)