Council tax is costing more than 10% of average pay in parts of UK – call to freeze rates

Residents in West Devon pay 10.85 per cent of their median gross pay in council tax, compared to just 2.16 per cent in Wandsworth, where the burden is lowest, analysis by the TaxPayers' Alliance found.

West Devon, Nottingham, Pendle and Torridge all charge more than 10 per cent of the median salary for their region in council tax.

​John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers are struggling with the unsustainable burden of council tax.

“But far from falling on those with the broadest shoulders, it appears that the most hard-pressed households are bearing the brunt of rising rates.

“The least local authorities can do is freeze council tax next year to give residents much-needed breathing space.”

The 20 council areas with the lowest average earnings in the UK all charged more than eight per cent of the median salary in council tax, the research found.

Top 10 local authorities with highest council tax relative to median gross pay

1. In West Devon, South West, council tax is 10.85 per cent of median gross pay.
2. In Nottingham, East Midlands, council tax is 10.84 per cent of median gross pay.
3. In Pendle, North West, council tax is 10.20 per cent of median gross pay.
4. In Torridge, South West, council tax is 10.11 per cent of median gross pay.
5. In Blackpool, North West, council tax is 9.97 per cent of median gross pay.
6. In Redcar and Cleveland, North East, council tax is 9.93 per cent of median gross pay.
7. In Teignbridge, South West, council tax is 9.79 per cent of median gross pay.
8. In Melton, East Midlands, council tax is 9.48 per cent of median gross pay.
9. In Hastings, South East, council tax is 9.47 per cent of median gross pay.
10. In Walsall, West Midlands, council tax is 9.45 per cent of median gross pay.

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Top 10 local authorities with lowest council tax relative to median gross pay

1. In Wandsworth, London, council tax is 2.16 per cent of median gross pay
2. In Westminster, London, council tax is 2.31 per cent of median gross pay
3. In Hammersmith and Fulham, London, council tax is 3.45 per cent of median gross pay
4. In Kensington and Chelsea, London, council tax is 3.84 per cent of median gross pay
5. In East Renfrewshire, Scotland, council tax is 3.84 per cent of median gross pay
6. In the Shetland Islands, Scotland, council tax is 4.13 per cent of median gross pay
7. In East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, council tax is 4.24 per cent of median gross pay
8. In Tower Hamlets, London, council tax is 4.37 per cent of median gross pay
9. In South Lanarkshire, Scotland, council tax is 4.62 per cent of median gross pay
10. In North Lanarkshire, Scotland, council tax is 4.64 per cent of median gross pay

Connor Hollahan, Media campaign manager of the TaxPayers’Alliance, told GB News today: “There's no reason to accept that people who haven't got the broadest shoulders are having to stump up most of the burden.”