Council tax rises 2018 – how much could rates increase and when will new fees start?
A bombshell survey of local councils in England found the vast majority were struggling to meet costs and were planning to hike taxes and charges
COUNCIL tax bills are due to soar in April by an average of £81 the steepest rise to hit households in 14 years, as cash-strapped councils struggle.
Charges are thought to be going up in 93 per cent of councils while taxes are set to rise in 95 per cent - but how will they rise and when will the reported hike come into effect? Here's what you need to know.
How much could council taxes increase?
About 93 per cent of councils that took part in the 2018 State of Local Government Finance research indicated new or increasing charges to cover budget-strapped services.
But it is the council taxes that are expected to increase the most, with three quarters of authorities set to raise the tax by 2.99%
Council taxes can rise by 3 per cent in April this year in line with inflation.
Any larger increases will trigger a local referendum.
If a council has social care responsibilities, then they can also raise the rate by an additional 3%.
What has the government said about the research?
A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "Our finance settlement strikes a balance between relieving growing pressure on local government whilst ensuring that hard-pressed taxpayers do not face excessive bills.
"We have listened to representations made from councils and delivered on these with extra funding.
"Overall councils will see a real-term increase in resources over the next two years, more freedom and fairness and with a greater certainty to plan and secure value for money.
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"We are also delivering on our commitment to give councils more control over the business rates they raise locally - with millions of pounds staying in communities and being spent on local priorities.
"We want to work with local government to develop a new funding system for the future and encourage councils to submit responses to the review currently under way."
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