Scotland Councils Face £392 Million Budget Shortfall, Propose Tax Hikes
Scotland's 32 councils face a combined £392 million budget shortfall, potentially rising to £780 million next year, leading many to propose council tax increases of up to 10% to offset rising costs and increased service demands.
Scotland Councils Face £392 Million Budget Shortfall, Propose Tax Hikes
Scotland's 32 councils face a combined £392 million budget shortfall, potentially rising to £780 million next year, leading many to propose council tax increases of up to 10% to offset rising costs and increased service demands.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Bradford Council proposes near 15% council tax hike
Bradford Council, facing a £40 million annual budget deficit, proposes a council tax increase of up to 14.99% starting April, exceeding the threshold for a local referendum; this follows a £220 million government loan and previous spending cuts, yet the council still faces financial challenges.
Bradford Council proposes near 15% council tax hike
Bradford Council, facing a £40 million annual budget deficit, proposes a council tax increase of up to 14.99% starting April, exceeding the threshold for a local referendum; this follows a £220 million government loan and previous spending cuts, yet the council still faces financial challenges.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Council Tax Hike to Fund £330m Police Increase
England and Wales police forces will receive up to £17.4bn in 2025-26, a 3.5% increase, but £329.8m depends on a £14 council tax rise for a band D property; this has sparked criticism, while concerns remain about funding formula inequities and one-year funding settlements hindering long-term plannin...
Council Tax Hike to Fund £330m Police Increase
England and Wales police forces will receive up to £17.4bn in 2025-26, a 3.5% increase, but £329.8m depends on a £14 council tax rise for a band D property; this has sparked criticism, while concerns remain about funding formula inequities and one-year funding settlements hindering long-term plannin...
Progress
40% Bias Score
UK Government Redirects Funding to Deprived Areas to Address Local Council Financial Crisis
The UK government will redistribute £600 million to deprived English towns and cities, potentially allowing councils to raise council tax above the current cap, to address financial instability and create a fairer funding system starting in 2026-27.
UK Government Redirects Funding to Deprived Areas to Address Local Council Financial Crisis
The UK government will redistribute £600 million to deprived English towns and cities, potentially allowing councils to raise council tax above the current cap, to address financial instability and create a fairer funding system starting in 2026-27.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Scottish Borders Council Announces 10% Council Tax Hike
The Scottish Borders Council announced a 10% council tax increase for 2025/26, raising an additional £7m for vital services despite receiving £19m in extra government funding, which is largely allocated to the Real Living Wage and free school meals.
Scottish Borders Council Announces 10% Council Tax Hike
The Scottish Borders Council announced a 10% council tax increase for 2025/26, raising an additional £7m for vital services despite receiving £19m in extra government funding, which is largely allocated to the Real Living Wage and free school meals.
Progress
48% Bias Score
North Yorkshire Doubles Council Tax on Second Homes
North Yorkshire will introduce a 100% council tax premium on second homes starting April 1, 2024, aiming to address a critical housing shortage and generate \£16 million annually for additional housing, impacting over 8,000 second homeowners.
North Yorkshire Doubles Council Tax on Second Homes
North Yorkshire will introduce a 100% council tax premium on second homes starting April 1, 2024, aiming to address a critical housing shortage and generate \£16 million annually for additional housing, impacting over 8,000 second homeowners.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Outdated UK Council Tax System Creates Regional Financial Disparities
UK council tax, unchanged since 1991, leads to significant financial disparities between regions, with those in cheaper areas paying more than those in expensive ones, despite the funding cuts to local services.
Outdated UK Council Tax System Creates Regional Financial Disparities
UK council tax, unchanged since 1991, leads to significant financial disparities between regions, with those in cheaper areas paying more than those in expensive ones, despite the funding cuts to local services.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Reducing Your Council Tax Bill
This article provides advice on how to reduce or challenge council tax bills in the UK, highlighting various discounts, exemptions, and the process of challenging property valuations.
Reducing Your Council Tax Bill
This article provides advice on how to reduce or challenge council tax bills in the UK, highlighting various discounts, exemptions, and the process of challenging property valuations.
Progress
40% Bias Score