Average council tax bills rise 5.1%

The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2018-19 will be £1,671, up 5.1% on this year, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Of the 152 adult social care councils 148 will use some, or all, of the 3% adult social care precept flexibility when setting their council tax. Lord Porter, Local Government Association chairman, said: “The extra income this year will help offset some of the financial pressures they face but the reality is that many councils are now beyond the point where council tax income cannot be expected to plug the growing funding gaps they face. This means councils will have to continue to cutback services or stop some altogether to plug funding gaps.”