Wandsworth Council, governed by the Conservative Party, is proposing what could be the largest council tax increase ever seen in England, with plans to raise bills by 160 per cent from April next year. This increase follows special permission granted by the Labour-led national government allowing uncapped hikes for the forthcoming financial year.
Currently, residents in Wandsworth pay an annual council tax of £1,020 for Band D properties, equally split between the local council and the Mayor of London. The proposed changes would see the council’s share of £510 surge by 160 per cent, resulting in an approximate £800 increase in the total bill, while the Mayor of London’s portion would remain the same.
The dramatic rise is partly a response to a 40 per cent funding cut imposed on Wandsworth Council by the national government, which aims to redistribute funds more evenly across England. Conservative councillor and finance cabinet member Peter Graham commented on the financial challenges faced, attributing the crisis to Labour’s actions locally and poor funding decisions nationally. He said, “Wandsworth’s financial crisis was made by Labour. The Government gave us the worst cash settlement in the country, slashing the council’s funding by 40pc. And locally, Labour managed to double the size of the hole, leaving a budget gap of £137m.”
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Graham added that the council is conducting a thorough spending review to eliminate waste and identify savings, emphasising efforts to minimise tax increases while maintaining essential services for residents.
In related commentary, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, highlighted disparities in council tax bills, noting that residents in his area pay significantly more than those in larger London homes. Burnham supported reforms to council tax banding to create a fairer system, referencing previous efforts by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that decisions regarding council tax increases rest with local authorities, with an expectation that any changes prioritise taxpayer interests. The spokesperson also noted the time-limited nature of the flexibility granted to Wandsworth and confirmed that £278 million will be available for the council by 2028-29.