Council tax across England and Wales is expected to increase by an average of 4.9% in the coming year, which while above inflation will not mean revenue keeps up with spending pressure, CIPFA...
Government plans to overhaul the administration of council tax have not been properly thought through and risk leaving local authorities out of pocket, finance experts have warned.
Council tax debt in England has risen by almost half since the eve of the pandemic as cost-of-living pressures push families into arrears over priority bills, according to research.
A local government finance shake-up represents an encouraging opportunity to fix many of the sector’s longstanding issues, but experts have warned the proposals published thus far still lack...
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has warned that a Section 114 notice is “almost inevitable” as it prepares residents for a council tax hike of up to a quarter.
A root and branch review of Scotland’s governance arrangements is needed to address the increasing unsustainability of local authority finances since devolution, a panel of experts has told the...
Four authorities have been given permission to raise council tax above the referendum limit to meet their spending needs next year, but one request was rejected.
An outdated funding model has pushed councils into a financial crisis and requires fundamental reform – not simply increasing the reliance on a regressive council tax system – a group of MPs has said.
An inadequate funding settlement means councils face “serious challenges” including further cuts to balance their 2024-25 budgets, the Local Government Association has said.
A county council will issue a Section 114 notice unless the government grants its requests for extra flexibility, officers have warned as they work on the authority’s upcoming budget.
A proposal to freeze council tax next year risks “compounding councils’ ongoing underfunding”, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has warned while criticising the lack of engagement with...
Proposals to raise council tax rates for properties in the highest bands in Scotland shy away from the fundamental reform local taxation needs, researchers have said.
First minister Humza Yousaf is set to let Scottish councils double council tax on second homes, and will develop “alternative governance arrangements” for island authorities.
Proposals to increase council tax rates in Scotland will impact the highest value properties and make the levy less regressive, ministers and local leaders have said.
