The full list of proposed and confirmed top-tier council tax rises in England

April price hikes combined with high energy costs saw the average household facing an annual increase of £1,254 from essential bill rises (Alamy/PA) (Alamy/PA)

The number of local authorities in England looking to impose the maximum level of council tax has fallen this year, new analysis reveals.

Some 119 of the 153 top-tier authorities have either proposed or confirmed a rise of 4.99% for 2026/27 – the largest increase possible without holding a local referendum.

A further six councils with acute financial challenges are likely to accept the permission granted by the Government to increase council tax beyond this level.

This means 125 authorities – 82% of the total – are planning a rise of at least 4.99%, down from 134 (88%) last year.

Fewer councils are set to increase council tax to the maximum level permitted this year compared to last (PA) (PA)

The findings show that 25 upper-tier councils are currently not looking to raise council tax by at least 4.99%, of which eight have pencilled in rises between 4.00% and 4.98%, nine are between 3.00% and 3.99%, and the remaining eight are between 1.99% and 2.99%.

Some 10 of these 25 councils are run by Reform UK, either as the majority party or as a minority administration.

By contrast, two Reform-led councils – Doncaster and North Northamptonshire – have signalled their intention to apply the maximum 4.99% this year, while another, Worcestershire has been given permission for a rise of up to 8.99% to deal with financial pressures.

Here is a list of the latest proposed and confirmed council tax rises for 2026/27 by top-tier local authorities in England.

The list has been compiled by the Press Association and is a snapshot of the figures available as of February 25.

The data covers only the 153 top-tier local authorities in England: county councils, London boroughs, Metropolitan boroughs and unitary authorities.

It does not include lower-tier district councils.

The list is divided into four sections, corresponding to the four types of top-tier authority, with each section arranged alphabetically.

For each authority, the percentage increase in council tax in 2026/27 is given, along with whether this has been confirmed or proposed.

The current political control of each authority is also listed, with details of whether the ruling party runs a majority or minority administration, or if there is a multi-party agreement.

There are three top-tier authorities that have yet to make public a proposed or confirmed figure.

– County councils

Cambridgeshire (Eastern England), Lib Dem majority: 4.99% confirmed

Derbyshire (East Midlands), Ref maj: 4.90% confirmed

Devon (SW England), Lib Dem min: 4.99% confirmed

East Sussex (SE England), Con min: 4.99% confirmed

Essex (Eastern England), Con maj: 3.95% confirmed

Gloucestershire (SW England), Lib Dem min: 4.99% confirmed

Hampshire (SE England), Con maj: 4.99% proposed

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