Council tax rise in April 2027: what is confirmed and what is not
Short answer
No council tax bill for 2027/28 is set yet: councils fix them in February and March 2027. In England, councils with social care duties need a referendum to raise council tax by 5% or more, and the government plans to keep that limit, but six councils are set to have none. Wandsworth projects a £958 rise at Band D.
Updated
5%
The rise that triggered a referendum for English councils with social care duties in 2026/27
6
English councils the government intends to leave with no referendum limit in 2027/28
£2,392
England's average Band D for 2026/27, up £111 or 4.9%
Councils set their 2027/28 council tax in February and March 2027. Until then, this page separates what is confirmed (the rules, the limits, the councils with no limit) from what is a council's own projection, and we update it as budgets are set.
How much will council tax go up in April 2027?
Councils set 2027/28 bills in February and March 2027. Here is what is confirmed so far, and what is only a projection.
- Confirmed: councils set council tax in February and March. MHCLG's 2026/27 figures came from returns councils sent in during February and March 2026, and its 2027/28 figures are due in March 2027.
- Confirmed: in July 2026 MHCLG said 'councils have not set the tax rates beyond this year', rejecting a newspaper report of planned rises.
- Confirmed: limits are set one year at a time. MHCLG says 'Referendum principles are set each year which are subject to consultation and the approval of the House of Commons'.
- For reference, England's average Band D rose £111, or 4.9%, to £2,392 for 2026/27, and 274 of the 384 authorities with a limit used all of it (MHCLG).
- Projection, not confirmed: any figure for a single council before its budget, including Wandsworth's below.
- The UK Budget is on 28 October 2026 (HM Treasury). We will update this page with anything it says about council tax.
Sources: MHCLG: Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027 (25 March 2026) (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG: Council Tax levels 2027 to 2028, statistics release date (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG in the Media: misleading claims on council tax (31 July 2026) (read 15 October 2026); HM Treasury: Chancellor's letter to the Treasury Committee on the Budget date (31 July 2026) (read 15 October 2026)
What are the council tax referendum limits?
A rise at or above the limit needs a local referendum. These were England's limits for 2026/27.
- Councils with adult social care duties (county councils, unitaries, London boroughs and metropolitan districts): a rise of 5% or more needs a referendum, made up of 2% for adult social care and 3% for other spending.
- District councils in two-tier areas: a rise of 3% or more that is also more than £5. Police and crime commissioners: more than £15 at Band D. Fire and rescue authorities: more than £5.
- No limits were set for parish and town councils or mayoral combined authorities.
- For the rest of the settlement, the government said it would keep the core limits as they were in 2025/26: up to 3%, plus up to 2% a year for adult social care.
- The 2026/27 report covered that year only, so the 2027/28 limits still need the House of Commons to approve them.
Sources: MHCLG: Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027 (25 March 2026) (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG: Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2026-27 (9 February 2026) (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG: provisional local government finance settlement 2026 to 2027 (17 December 2025) (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG in the Media: misleading claims on council tax (31 July 2026) (read 15 October 2026)
Which councils can raise council tax by more?
Seven councils had higher limits for 2026/27. Six are set to have no limit at all for 2027/28 and 2028/29.
- Higher limits for 2026/27: 9% for North Somerset, Shropshire and Worcestershire; 7.5% for Trafford, Warrington and Windsor and Maidenhead; 6.75% for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (MHCLG).
- For 2027/28 and 2028/29, the government confirmed in February 2026 its intention not to set referendum principles for the City of London, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth, Westminster and Windsor and Maidenhead.
- The government says these six have the lowest council tax of any upper tier authorities in England, with Band D bills £450 to £1,280 below the average. The GLA, fire and police parts of their bills keep their limits.
- No limit is not a set rise. The government says decisions on council tax levels are a matter for local authorities.
- Other councils in financial difficulty can ask for extra flexibility, but the government says it would not agree where bills are already above average.
Sources: MHCLG: Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027 (25 March 2026) (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG: local government finance settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29, summary of responses (9 February 2026) (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG: provisional local government finance settlement 2026 to 2027 (17 December 2025) (read 15 October 2026)
Will Wandsworth council tax go up by £958?
That is Wandsworth Council's own projection for Band D in 2027/28, not a decision.
- Wandsworth says that unless the government rethinks its cuts to local funding, council tax 'will need to rise by £958 for a Band D property'.
- It says the government's funding reforms will reduce its funding by £84 million a year, which it calls a 40% cut, and that it is pressing the government for a fairer settlement.
- The exact proposal will be confirmed through its budget setting process in February 2027, showing the Wandsworth part of the bill, the GLA precept and the total change (Wandsworth Council, updated 23 September 2026).
- Wandsworth is one of the six councils the government intends to leave without a referendum limit for 2027/28, so a rise of that size would not need a local vote.
- Taupia's arithmetic: an extra £958 a year is £95.80 a month over 10 instalments, or £79.83 over 12.
Sources: Wandsworth Council (council projection): financial crisis and spending review (updated 23 September 2026) (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG: local government finance settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29, summary of responses (9 February 2026) (read 15 October 2026)
Is council tax going up in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Each nation sets its own rules. These are the latest published figures, for 2026/27.
- Wales: the average Band D for 2026/27 is £2,283, up £113 or 5.2%, the smallest rise since 2022/23. It ranges from £2,013 in Cardiff to £2,594 in Merthyr Tydfil (Welsh Government).
- Scotland: each council decides its own council tax rates (mygov.scot). The 2026/27 average Band D is £1,653, excluding water and sewerage charges, against £1,543 in 2025/26, about 7.1% more by Taupia's arithmetic (Scottish Government).
- Northern Ireland: homes pay domestic rates. The Executive raised the domestic regional rate by 5.0% for 2026/27 (Department of Finance), and Land & Property Services issues rate bills at the beginning of April (nidirect).
Sources: Welsh Government: Council Tax levels, April 2026 to March 2027 (24 March 2026) (read 15 October 2026); mygov.scot: how Council Tax works (read 15 October 2026); Scottish Government: Council Tax datasets, Band D 1996-97 to 2026-27 (read 15 October 2026); Department of Finance (Northern Ireland): Executive agrees regional rate 2026-27 (12 February 2026) (read 15 October 2026); nidirect: introducing your rate bill (read 15 October 2026)
When will I know my 2027/28 council tax bill?
After your council's budget meeting. These five steps take you from February to your first payment.
- MHCLG's 2026/27 figures came from returns councils sent in during February and March 2026, and its 2027/28 release is due in March 2027.
- The 2026/27 referendum principles report was ordered to be printed on 9 February 2026.
- Regulation 21 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 lets you ask in writing for 12 monthly instalments (England and Wales).
- Tenants usually pay the rise along with everyone else who lives in the home: the government said in April 2026 that liability 'usually falls to the resident'.
Sources: MHCLG: Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027 (25 March 2026) (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG: Council Tax levels 2027 to 2028, statistics release date (read 15 October 2026); MHCLG: Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2026-27 (9 February 2026) (read 15 October 2026); Wandsworth Council (council projection): financial crisis and spending review (updated 23 September 2026) (read 15 October 2026); GOV.UK: paying your Council Tax bill (read 15 October 2026); legislation.gov.uk: Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, regulation 21 (read 15 October 2026); GOV.UK: modernising and improving the administration of council tax, government response (updated 15 April 2026) (read 15 October 2026)
- 1
Watch for your council's budget in February
Councils set council tax for the year from 1 April in February and March. Wandsworth, for example, says its 2027/28 figure comes through its February 2027 budget.
- 2
Check the referendum limit for your council
Each year's limits are set in a report the House of Commons approves. The 2026/27 report was ordered to be printed on 9 February 2026.
- 3
Read your new bill
GOV.UK says your bill shows how much you pay for the year, how that was worked out and the dates to pay.
- 4
Ask for 12 instalments if it helps
In England and Wales you can ask in writing to spread the year over 12 monthly payments instead of 10.
- 5
Check for discounts and help
Apply for any discount you qualify for, and contact the council straight away if you will struggle to pay.
How can Taupia help when council tax goes up?
It keeps the new bill visible to the whole household, split your way.
- Council tax sits on the same list as energy, broadband, water and mobile, split by your household's own rule, with who has paid shown to everyone. No money moves through Taupia.
- Add your address and Taupia finds the council, and the band where it can match the address, and flags the discounts that might apply.
- Taupia does not set, negotiate or pay council tax, and does not contact your council for you.
- Taupia is free.
England's council tax referendum limits, 2026/27
| Authority | Referendum needed for a rise of | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Councils with adult social care duties | 5% or more | 2% for adult social care and 3% for other spending. |
| North Somerset, Shropshire, Worcestershire | 9% or more | Higher limit for 2026/27. |
| Trafford, Warrington, Windsor and Maidenhead | 7.5% or more | Higher limit for 2026/27. Windsor and Maidenhead is set to have none for 2027/28. |
| Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | 6.75% or more | Higher limit for 2026/27. |
| District councils in two-tier areas | 3% or more, if that is also more than £5 | Bills also carry the county council's charge. |
| Police and crime commissioners | More than £15 at Band D | £18.50 for six forces in 2026/27. |
| Fire and rescue authorities | More than £5 at Band D | £10 for Northamptonshire in 2026/27. |
| Parish and town councils | No limit | No referendum principles are set for them. |
Questions about the April 2027 council tax rise
How much can council tax go up in April 2027?
In England, councils with social care duties needed a referendum to raise council tax by 5% or more in 2026/27, and the government plans to keep that limit. Seven councils had higher limits in 2026/27, and six are set to have none for 2027/28. Each council sets its own rise in February or March 2027.
Which councils have no council tax cap in 2027?
In February 2026 the government confirmed its intention not to set referendum principles for 2027/28 and 2028/29 for the City of London, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth, Westminster and Windsor and Maidenhead. The police, fire and GLA parts of their bills still have limits.
Is Wandsworth council tax going up by £958?
Wandsworth Council says its Band D bill will need to rise by £958 in 2027/28 unless the government rethinks its funding cuts. That is the council's projection, not a decision. It says the exact figure will be confirmed through its budget setting process in February 2027.
When do council tax bills for 2027/28 come out?
After councils set their 2027/28 council tax in February and March 2027, ready for the year starting on 1 April. MHCLG publishes England's averages in March. In Northern Ireland, Land & Property Services issues rate bills at the beginning of April.
Do tenants pay the council tax rise?
Usually, yes. Council tax normally falls on the people who live in a home, tenants included. The government said in April 2026 that liability usually falls to the resident and that it has no plans to change how liability is assessed. Check your tenancy for whether the rent includes council tax.
How much did council tax rise in Wales and Scotland in 2026?
Wales's average Band D rose £113, or 5.2%, to £2,283 for 2026/27. In Scotland the 2026/27 average Band D is £1,653, excluding water and sewerage charges, against £1,543 the year before, about 7.1% more by Taupia's arithmetic. Each Scottish council decides its own rates.
Plan for the next council tax bill
Check your band, choose your instalments and claim every discount before the new bill lands.
Start here
Council tax changes from April 2027
Recommended12 monthly instalments, the 63 days before enforcement and the £100 cap.
Council tax bands: check, cost and challenge
What each band costs a month in England, and how to challenge yours.
Single person council tax discount rules
The 25% discount, review letters, and whether it is being scrapped.
Council tax when moving house
When each bill starts and stops, and paying for two homes.
How to set up council tax for a new home
Finding your council, registering, the first bill and Direct Debit.
Split bills with housemates
Fair ways to share the new council tax bill.
Official references
Cite this page
Taupia. "Council tax rise in April 2027: what is confirmed and what is not". Last updated 15 October 2026. https://taupia.com/move-home/council-tax-rise-april-2027
Split the new council tax bill fairly
When the 2027/28 bill arrives, Taupia keeps council tax on one list with energy, broadband and water, split by your household's own rule, with who has paid shown to everyone. No money moves through Taupia. It is free, and nothing changes without your approval.