Council tax bills hit average £2,392 as nearly all of England raises rates to the limit
Government figures confirm the typical Band D bill in England has climbed 4.9% to £2,392 for 2026-27, with 274 authorities increasing rates by the maximum permitted and a handful granted special permission to go further.
Eleanor Whitfield
Writer ·

- Average Band D bill: £2,392, up £111 (4.9%)
- 274 of 384 authorities raised rates by the maximum permitted
- Adult social care precept added an average £35 to bills, raising £688 million
- Total council tax requirement: £46.8 billion, up 6.1%
- Seven authorities granted permission to exceed the normal cap
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