UK Council Tax Bands 2023/24

For the financial year 2023 to 2024, many households faced substantial increase in Council Tax. To facilitate the comparison of Council Tax across different administrative areas, the following data has been compiled from all Local Authorities, Councils, and Unitary Authorities in the UK.

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Council Tax in England | Council Tax in Wales | Council Tax in Scotland

Comparing Council Tax across England

Summary of changes to Council Tax in England for 2023/24:

Local Authority Amount
Lowest increase (on 22/23) Central Bedfordshire 1.29%
Highest increase (on 22/23) Croydon 13.93%
Lowest average (all bands) Council Tax Westminster £1,104
Highest average (all bands) Council Tax Rutland £2,926

Click on the button below to view all Council Tax valuation bands across every Local Authority, Council, and Unitary Authority region in England for the tax year running from 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024.

Council Tax England 2023/24
See the complete 2023/24 Council Tax tables for all local authorities, councils and unitary authorities in England
Check and compare

Comparing Council Tax across Wales

Summary of changes to Council Tax in Wales for 2023/24:

Local Authority Amount
Lowest increase (on 22/23) Torfaen 2.71%
Highest increase (on 22/23) Conwy 8.91%
Lowest average (all bands) Council Tax Caerphilly £2,257
Highest average (all bands) Council Tax Blaenau Gwent £2,909

Click on the button below to view all Council Tax valuation bands across every Local Authority, Council, and Unitary Authority region in Wales for the tax year running from 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024.

Council Tax Wales 2023/24
See the complete 2023/24 Council Tax tables for all local authorities, councils and unitary authorities in Wales
Check and compare

Comparing Council Tax across Scotland

Summary of changes to Council Tax in Scotland for 2023/24:

Local Authority Amount
Lowest increase (on 22/23) Aberdeenshire 4%
Highest increase (on 22/23) Stirling 7%
Lowest average (all bands) Council Tax Shetland Islands £1,523
Highest average (all bands) Council Tax Midlothian £1,830

Click on the button below to view all Council Tax valuation bands across every Local Authority, Council, and Unitary Authority region in Scotland for the tax year running from 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024.

Council Tax Scotland 2023/24
See the complete 2023/24 Council Tax tables for all local authorities, councils and unitary authorities in Scotland
Check and compare

Supplemental

New unitary authorities created in England for 2023/24

  • Cumberland Council (replaces Allerdale, Carlisle, and Copeland, and part of Cumbria County Council)
  • North Yorkshire Council (replaces Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby and North Yorkshire County Council)
  • Somerset Council (replaces Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, South Somerset and Somerset County Council)
  • Westmorland and Furness Council (replaces Barrow, Eden, and South Lakeland, and part of Cumbria County Council)

How is the Council Tax Band Determined?

Council Tax is determined based on an approximation of your property's historic value.

Local authorities conducted a valuation exercise in April 1991 to assign Council Tax bands, which were established in England and Scotland in 1993 and in Wales in 2003. Properties are allocated to a band (A-H) based on their value.

Additional charges may be levied by some local authorities for parish council precepts, fire brigade, social care, and other contributions.

The exact amount of council tax that a household has to pay can therefore depend on a number of factors, including the valuation band of their property, the basic council tax rate set by their local authority, and any additional precepts that are added.

It's also worth noting that there are certain discounts, exemptions, and reductions available that can lower the amount of council tax a household has to pay, such as discounts for single occupancy.

What are parish council precepts?

A parish precept is the portion of the Council Tax bill that goes to your local parish council. It is in addition to the amount specified in the table for your property's Council Tax Band.

Each parish council determines its own precept amount, which is an estimate of its expected expenses for the year. While there is no cap on the precept, parishes typically increase it only to finance a specific project. Otherwise, the funds raised are used for operational costs.

Parish precepts, along with grants and funding awards, are the primary means by which local parish councils finance their activities. Unlike main local authorities, parish councils do not receive any funds from the central government.

What is the Adult Social Care precept?

Under new legislation, local councils with adult social care duties have been empowered to increase council tax by an additional 2% (in addition to the standard 5% increase). Of 153 councils, 151 are applying some amount of levy for adult social care in 2023/24. On average, across England, this amounts to approximately £30 per tax bill.

The money raised must be spend on social care services for adults in the authority, and can include support for adults with learning difficulties, with mental or physical health problems, and older people. The funds may also be used to support carers, and the precise use of the funds with vary from authority to authority, depending on local priorities and needs.

Is your home in the wrong council tax band?

Your property's valuation might be incorrect or might have changed over time. If your home is in an incorrect band, you could be overpaying your council tax. However, there are risks involved in requesting a revaluation, and there is the possibility that your band (or the band of your neighbours) could be revised upward.

Read more:

Am I paying more Council Tax than I should be?

Article by Completely Moved authors

The Completely Moved team have years of experience helping home buyers, sellers and owners, answering questions and providing property advice.

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