Conservative response to Government statement on council tax

David Simmonds MP, Shadow Local Government Minister, said:

“These changes amount to little more than window dressing in the context of Labour's soaring council tax bills.

“As pressure on the cost of living increases, the average family in a Band D home is facing a cumulative £1,134 increase in council tax across this Parliament. And now Labour have admitted their new family homes tax will lead to a surge in time-consuming and costly appeals.

“Conservatives have delivered the lowest council tax increases of any party. Labour and Reform, in contrast, have broken their council tax promises and the Liberal Democrats have put rates up by more than anyone else. Only the Conservatives can be trusted to keep tax on the family home down.”

Notes to Editors

• The Labour Government are planning above-inflation increases to council tax every year: In June 2025's Spending Review, Labour Ministers set out plans to hike council tax every year in this Parliament. Under Labour's proposals for council tax referendum thresholds in England, there is expected to be a typical 5 per cent yearly rise in council tax in England from 2025-26 to 2028-29. From 2024-25 onwards, the increase over the Parliament would be a projected +£468 a year, or a cumulative +£1,143 on average Band D bills in England. Homes in higher council tax bands will also pay far more (HMT,Spending Review 2025, 30 June 2025, MHCLG: Local Government section, link, MHCLG, Council Tax levels 2025 to 2026, March 2025, link, Hansard, 22 April 2025, PQ 45027, link).

• Households have been able to pay their council tax in 12 month instalments since 2013. The previous Conservative Government introduced reforms that allowed households to pay their pay council tax bill over 12 months (MHCLG, News Story, 1 January 2013, link).

• Conservative-run local authorities have the lowest council tax increases in 2026-2027 on Band D properties. Across England, Conservative local authorities have the lowest council tax increases of any party in 2026-2027 on the average Band D property (Conservative Party Analysis of Council Tax levels set by local authorities using separate party control data, 25 March 2026).