England is facing the ‘single highest’ council tax increase in a decade, a new study has revealed.
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) found households across England are facing an average increase in council tax of 4%.
CIPFA’s annual council tax survey, which had responses from more than two out of three councils across England, said the increase would mean the average band D equivalent bill would rise £60.94 to £1,590.53.
The survey discovered seven out of 10 councils with social care responsibilities will take advantage of the full 3% precept.
The total adult social care precept income for England in 2017/18 is estimated to be £554m, which is 89% out of a total possible amount of £624m.
Sean Nolan, director for local government at CIPFA, said: ‘The fact that we are facing the single highest council tax increase in a decade is all the more remarkable because it comes after six years of very low increases, actively encouraged by government, which until last year had offered a council tax freeze grant if councils did not raise theirs at all.
‘The subsequent removal of this freeze grant shows a clear shift in public policy in general, but also a reflection of the strains being caused by social care pressures.’