Council tax bills across the UK typically increase at this time of year, offering residents little noticeable improvement in services. Local authorities face tough budget decisions, balancing finances amid rising demands.
Council Budget Pressures
Council budgets primarily cover essential services such as children’s services, adult social care, and special educational needs (SEND) transport. These areas consume significant resources, limiting flexibility for cuts.
Reform UK’s Efficiency Initiative
Following Reform UK’s gains in local elections last May, the party pledged to reduce council tax rates. Zia Yusef, head of policy for Reform UK, highlighted excessive waste and, in some cases, corruption within councils, proposing a US-style efficiency drive similar to DOGE.
However, Reform-led Kent County Council abandoned hopes of major savings. Cllr Paul Chamberlain, cabinet member for the Department of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE), acknowledged over-optimistic assumptions. He stated: “We made some assumptions that we would come in here and find some craziness that Doge found in America and that was wrong, we didn’t find any of that.”
Proposed Tax Increases
At least four of the 10 Reform UK-controlled councils now propose the maximum 5% council tax rise allowed by law. In Warwickshire County Council, 19-year-old leader Cllr George Finch defends a 3.89% increase. He explained: “We want low tax, low spend and we were always committed to that. It’s just that national pressures that the government is not solving [such as] SEND home-school transport.”
These pressures underscore ongoing challenges in SEND transport and social care costs, which central government must address.
As local elections approach in May, voters should evaluate candidates’ promises alongside their plans for delivery.
