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Council Tax Increases Referendums

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is modernising council tax administration and managing the referendum process for council tax increases in England. Recent reforms address council tax billing, debt collection procedures, and the principles governing when local authorities must hold referendums on significant tax rises.

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2026

11 events
27 Apr 2026 | Written question Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing parish councils' staff with additional support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing parish councils' staff with additional support.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Apr 2026 | Written question Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Community and Local Government, whether she has assessed the impact of recently announced changes to Council Tax bills and debt collection on local councils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Community and Local Government, whether she has assessed the impact of recently announced changes to Council Tax bills and debt collection on local councils.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
24 Apr 2026 | Written question Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the change to the Housing Ombudsman Service's level of fees on the f

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the change to the Housing Ombudsman Service's level of fees on the financial burden on local authorities; and …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
15 Apr 2026 | Announcement Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

Modernising and Improving the Administration of Council Tax

UIN: HLWS1517 My Honourable Friend the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness (Alison McGovern MP) has today made the following statement:A fair and effective system of local taxation underpins good public services and maintains trust between local tax...

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓

2025

7 events
23 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

Council tax is one of the main interactions with local government that residents will have. Giving councils more power over, and therefore more responsibility for, setting council tax will improve democratic engagement by residents. (Conclusion, Paragraph 157)

Council tax is one of the main interactions with local government that residents will have. Giving councils more power over, and therefore more responsibility for, setting council tax will improve democratic engagement by residents. (Conclusion, Paragraph 157) Type: conclusion | …

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23 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government should begin the process of overhauling or replacing council tax. This should look at options for a significant reform of local government funding, which could include replacing council tax. Whatever form of taxation is eventually adopted, the Government must clearly set out the tax’s purpose, its economic impact, and its fairness. (Recommendation, Paragraph 158)

The Government should begin the process of overhauling or replacing council tax. This should look at options for a significant reform of local government funding, which could include replacing council tax. Whatever form of taxation is eventually adopted, the Government …

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23 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

A significant and considered reform of council tax will take several years to take effect. Until it does, the Government should devolve power and responsibility for setting council tax to councils. This should include the power for individual councils to revalue properties in their area, define property bands, and set the rates for those bands. Individual councils should also be given the power to apply or remove discounts and premiums (such as the single person discount), and to determine th...

A significant and considered reform of council tax will take several years to take effect. Until it does, the Government should devolve power and responsibility for setting council tax to councils. This should include the power for individual councils to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2024

9 events
11 Mar 2024 | Consultation outcome Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities linked

Proposals to exempt categories of dwellings from the council tax premiums — outcome published

A consultation on a range of circumstances where the empty homes and/or second homes premium should not apply, including the government’s proposal of possible exceptions.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Consultation on proposals to exempt categories …
+1 more
↓ Summary of responses and government’s response to the consu…
1 Feb 2024 | Committee report linked

There is widespread agreement that Council tax is outdated, regressive, and long overdue for reform. The Government’s increasing reliance on council tax to fund local authorities is causing a disproportionately negative impact on funding levels for authorities in the most deprived areas of England. The Government’s imposition of referendum thresholds for increasing council tax is restricting local authorities’ abilities to raise sufficient funding to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, i...

There is widespread agreement that Council tax is outdated, regressive, and long overdue for reform. The Government’s increasing reliance on council tax to fund local authorities is causing a disproportionately negative impact on funding levels for authorities in the most …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Feb 2024 | Committee report linked

Furthermore, in the short-term, the Government must raise the referendum threshold for council tax at least in line with a relevant measure of inflation. In the longer- term we recommend that the Government considers removing the threshold entirely.

Furthermore, in the short-term, the Government must raise the referendum threshold for council tax at least in line with a relevant measure of inflation. In the longer- term we recommend that the Government considers removing the threshold entirely. Type: recommendation …

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2023

11 events
1 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 requires the year’s unpaid council tax balance to become payable in certain circumstances. This provision, and the speed with which it is applied, can be the catalyst for someone’s debts to quickly escalate. It is not clear, however, how much discretion local authorities have to agree repayment plans that spread the value of the unpaid balance over the rest of the year. The council tax collection best practice guidance, publish...

The Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 requires the year’s unpaid council tax balance to become payable in certain circumstances. This provision, and the speed with which it is applied, can be the catalyst for someone’s debts to quickly …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

We strongly urge the Government to clarify the provision in the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 that requires the unpaid balance to become payable in certain circumstances. If local authorities do, under this provision, have the discretion not to require immediate repayment of the full unpaid balance, the Government should make this much clearer, either by updating the regulations or by amending the best practice guidance by the end of this Parliament.

We strongly urge the Government to clarify the provision in the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 that requires the unpaid balance to become payable in certain circumstances. If local authorities do, under this provision, have the discretion not …

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1 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

In addition, by the end of this Parliament, the Government should amend existing regulations to enshrine in law the principle that collection should be based on a resident’s ability to pay, including by requiring local authorities to offer people affordable repayment plans when an unpaid balance becomes payable.

In addition, by the end of this Parliament, the Government should amend existing regulations to enshrine in law the principle that collection should be based on a resident’s ability to pay, including by requiring local authorities to offer people affordable …

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1 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The council tax collection best practice guidance, issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in 2021, does not set out specific standards expected of local authorities. We agree with the Government that local authorities’ need some discretion, but we see no reason why a statutory code of practice would unnecessarily constrain local authorities’ decision making.

The council tax collection best practice guidance, issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in 2021, does not set out specific standards expected of local authorities. We agree with the Government that local authorities’ need some discretion, …

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1 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The Government should carry out and publish research to assess different types of local council tax support schemes and how they relate to council tax arrears. In addition to collection rates and levels of arrears, the Government should also publish local authority level data on: methods used to engage with debtors; collection methods; the 38 Council Tax Collection number of affordable repayment plans set up; and reasons for arrears. The new Office for Local Government should have a role in c...

The Government should carry out and publish research to assess different types of local council tax support schemes and how they relate to council tax arrears. In addition to collection rates and levels of arrears, the Government should also publish …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Dec 2023 | Committee report linked

The entire system for collecting council tax is outdated and not meeting its desired purpose. This has become increasingly problematic because councils are becoming ever more reliant on council tax for their budgets. In 2015/16, council tax made up 49.1% of core spending power. It now makes up 56.9% of core spending power in 2023/24. Councils are having to put up their council tax to provide much needed public services, which makes more and more residents vulnerable to falling into arrears.

The entire system for collecting council tax is outdated and not meeting its desired purpose. This has become increasingly problematic because councils are becoming ever more reliant on council tax for their budgets. In 2015/16, council tax made up 49.1% …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
31 Aug 2023 | Consultation outcome Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities linked

Proposals to exempt categories of dwellings from the council tax premiums — consultation closed

A consultation on a range of circumstances where the empty homes and/or second homes premium should not apply, including the government’s proposal of possible exceptions.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Consultation on proposals to exempt categories …
+1 more
↓ Summary of responses and government’s response to the consu…
6 Jul 2023 | Consultation outcome Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities linked

Proposals to exempt categories of dwellings from the council tax premiums — consultation opened

A consultation on a range of circumstances where the empty homes and/or second homes premium should not apply, including the government’s proposal of possible exceptions.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Consultation on proposals to exempt categories …
+1 more
↓ Summary of responses and government’s response to the consu…

2022

2 events

2021

3 events
1 Mar 2021 | Committee report linked

We have heard strong arguments in favour of reform of council tax. We encourage the Government to consider how best to reform local taxation, taking account of recommendations from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee and we draw the Government’s attention to evidence submitted to this inquiry.

We have heard strong arguments in favour of reform of council tax. We encourage the Government to consider how best to reform local taxation, taking account of recommendations from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee and we draw the …

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2020

2 events

2019

2 events

2018

2 events

2017

2 events

2016

2 events
8 Feb 2016 | Policy paper Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

Council Tax in 2016 to 2017 - updated

Information on Council Tax referendum principles 2016 to 2017, Council Tax adult social care precept and alternative notional amounts.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (… (16pp)
+2 more
↓ Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Alternative … (11pp) ↓ Letter setting out the terms of the adult social care prece… (4pp)

2015

4 events
17 Dec 2015 | Policy paper Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

Council Tax in 2016 to 2017

Information on Council Tax referendum principles 2016 to 2017, Council Tax adult social care precept and alternative notional amounts.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Referendums relating to Council Tax Increases (… (7pp)
+2 more
↓ The Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principl… (13pp) ↓ Council Tax setting in 2016 to 2017: the government’s offer… (9pp)
8 May 2015 | Policy paper Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government linked

2010 to 2015 government policy: Council Tax reform

We're helping councils to freeze Council Tax bills and giving local people the right to vote against excessive Council Tax rises.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ 2010 to 2015 government policy: Council Tax ref…
+19 more
↓ Grants to compensate authorities for freezing or reducing t… ↓ Grants to compensate authorities for freezing or reducing t… ↓ Local Authority Settlement 2013 to 2014 - spending power ↓ Local authority briefing 2013 to 2014 ↓ Average Band D Council Tax bills in England 1993 to 2013 (1pp) ↓ Letter to local authorities informing them of their Council… (9pp) ↓ Final Council Tax freeze grant allocations (revised): grant… ↓ Letter to police and crime and commissioners informing them… (4pp) ↓ Council Tax freeze grant determination 2013 to 2014, (Suppl… (2pp) ↓ 2014 to 2015 indicative Council Tax freeze grant allocations ↓ Letter to local authorities informing them of the 2014 to 2… (3pp) ↓ Local authorities intending to freeze or reduce Council Tax… ↓ Potential savings to the average Band D Council Tax payer o… ↓ Change in Band D Council Tax for local authorities includin… ↓ Letter to local authorities informing them of their final C… (2pp) ↓ Final Council Tax freeze grant allocations: grants to compe… ↓ Council Tax freeze grant determination 2014 to 2015 (No.31/… (7pp) ↓ Weekly Collection Support Scheme: announcement of successfu… (9pp) ↓ Weekly Collection Support Scheme: table showing successful …