Most London boroughs will raise council tax by 4.99% in 2025/26. One borough is increasing taxes by 8.99%, while one froze it.
Most council tax can rise by 4.99 percent, a limit that includes a 2 percent social care fee. This has been the case for around three years. However, Newham got to raise taxes by 8.99 percent.
The government has stated that councils decide their own tax rates. They should think about the impact on taxpayers, and they maintain a limit on tax increases. People also have the ability to vote against big changes.
The Local Government Association said councils face tough choices. They must decide if they must raise taxes for vital services. Three councils raised taxes by less than 4.99 percent, including Kensington & Chelsea and Wandsworth. Barnet Council increased its bill by 4.98 percent.
Wandsworth had the lowest increase in England at 2 percent. They froze the main part of tax for three years, and the council said they manage money well. The council claims low debt and high reserves. They can freeze taxes and invest in important things.
The association representing councils said they face funding problems. They endure rising costs and rising service demands, adding that councils must make hard choices about raising taxes.
Council tax is important, but isn’t enough to meet financial pressures alone. Financial pressures cannot be met by tax income alone, and it raises different amounts across the country. This is unrelated to need.
Here’s a list of council tax rises for each London borough for 2025/26, per the PA news agency. Figures for prior years are from the government.
Barking & Dagenham: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Barnet: 4.98% (past years: 4.98%, 3.80%). Bexley: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Brent: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%).
Bromley: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Camden: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). City of London: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Croydon: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%, 14.99%).
Ealing: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Enfield: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Greenwich: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Hackney: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%).
Hammersmith & Fulham: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%, 4.80%). Haringey: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Harrow: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Havering: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%).
Hillingdon: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Hounslow: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Islington: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Kensington & Chelsea: 4.00% (past years: 4.99%, 2.18%).
Kingston: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Lambeth: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Lewisham: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Merton: 4.99% (past years: 4.999%).
Newham: 8.99% (past years: 4.99%). Redbridge: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Richmond: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Southwark: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%).
Sutton: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Tower Hamlets: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%, 2.00%). Waltham Forest: 4.99% (past years: 4.99%). Wandsworth: 2.00% (past years: 2.09%, 2.14%).
Westminster: 4.99% (past years: 4.98%, 2.01%).