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Birmingham sees highest council tax increase in England

The city’s households will pay an additional £43.1 million in council tax this year, the largest rise among all local authorities.

council tax

The rise for this year accounts for 29 per cent of the total council tax increase over the last four years.

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BIRMINGHAM residents will face the highest overall increase in council tax in England for the 2025/26 financial year, according to research by Go.Compare Home Insurance.

The city’s households will pay an additional £43.1 million in council tax this year, the largest rise among all local authorities.


Property Wire reported that Windsor and Maidenhead will see the highest increase per household, with eligible properties paying £169.43 more than in 2024/25.

The rise for this year accounts for 29 per cent of the total council tax increase over the last four years.

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Council tax is an essential household expense, but for many, these rising costs are putting even more pressure on already stretched budgets. If you’re struggling, it’s worth checking if you qualify for council tax reductions or any support schemes in your area.

“At the same time, looking for savings on other bills, like home insurance, could help offset some of these rising costs. Shopping around for a better deal could make a real difference to your monthly outgoings.”

On average, councils have increased tax rates by 4.9 per cent for 2025/26. Some local authorities facing financial difficulties have raised them further.

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Lancashire warned health pressures ‘not sustainable’ without stronger prevention plan

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Highlights

  • Lancashire’s public health chief says rising demand on services cannot continue.
  • New prevention strategy aims to involve entire public sector and local communities.
  • Funding concerns raised as council explores co-investment and partnerships.
Lancashire’s public sector will struggle to cope with rising demand unless more is done to prevent people from falling ill in the first place, the county’s public health director has warned.
Dr. Sakthi Karunanithi told Lancashire County Council’s health and adult services scrutiny committee that poor health levels were placing “not sustainable” pressure on local services, prompting the authority to begin work on a new illness prevention strategy.

The plan, still in its early stages, aims to widen responsibility for preventing ill health beyond the public health department and make it a shared priority across the county council and the wider public sector.

Dr. Karunanithi said the approach must also be a “partnership” with society, supporting people to make healthier choices around smoking, alcohol use, weight and physical activity. He pointed that improving our health is greater than improving the NHS.

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