A wave of frustration is sweeping across the UK as thousands of ratepayers threaten to withhold their council tax payments in protest against rising bills and deteriorating public services. This grassroots rebellion is putting pressure on the Labour government, with many comparing it to the 2022 Don’t Pay campaign, which saw households refusing to pay soaring energy bills during the cost-of-living crisis.
The discontent stems from a combination of factors, including crumbling public services, inflation-busting tax hikes, and a controversial decision to cancel local elections in several areas. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner approved the cancellation of May’s local elections in Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, and the Isle of Wight as part of a local government reorganization. This move has been widely criticized as an “affront to democracy,” with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling it “dictatorial.” For many, this was the final straw.
From April, households across the country will face significant increases in council tax, with some areas seeing bills rise by more than 10%. This comes at a time when public services are being cut to the bone. Potholed roads, closed libraries and leisure centers, reduced bin collections, and the axing of other essential services have left residents furious. Many feel they are being asked to pay more for less.
Councils are typically limited to raising council tax by up to 5% without voter approval. However, some local authorities are bypassing this limit by issuing Section 114 notices, effectively declaring bankruptcy to justify higher rate increases. This has sparked outrage among taxpayers, who are already struggling with the rising cost of living.
The situation has led to a surge in anger on social media, with many vowing to stop paying their council tax altogether. One frustrated resident said, “Why should I pay my council tax if my vote is taken away from me?” Another predicted a “summer of non-compliance,” with people refusing to pay not only council tax but also energy bills, TV licenses, and taxes. Some even suggested that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer could face political fallout, with one commenter saying, “He’ll be gone before the end of the year.”
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, run by the Liberal Democrats, has requested permission to raise council tax by nearly 25%, warning that it risks going bankrupt without the increase. Even a proposed 9% hike has sparked widespread anger, with Independent councillor Helen Price warning that many residents may refuse to pay “on a point of principle.”
Other councils are also planning significant increases. Labour-run Bradford Council is set to raise taxes by 10%, while Birmingham, Somerset, and Trafford councils are all proposing 7.5% hikes. These increases come as 1.3 million households are already in council tax arrears, highlighting the financial strain on families.
The average Band D council tax in England is now £2,171, a 5.1% increase from the previous year. For many, this is simply unaffordable. One resident said, “The mass stopping of council tax payments would be a strong message to send to Labour until they listen.”
Property expert Paul Gibbens warned that the tax hikes could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the housing market. “Increasing council taxes beyond the legal limit will place UK residents under further financial pressure,” he said. “Living in the impacted areas during a cost-of-living crisis will now be unfeasible for many families.”
The growing rebellion reflects a deep sense of frustration among taxpayers, who feel they are being asked to bear the brunt of financial mismanagement and cuts to public services. As councils struggle with dwindling reserves and rising demand for services, the government faces a mounting challenge to address the crisis before it spirals out of control.
