𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Conservatives have accused Labour of planning higher council tax bands as Rachel Reeves is “scrabbling around for ways to take more money”. Middle England may be hit with 14 council tax bands, an increase from the current eight, which will force many families into paying higher rates.

Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly accused the government of a “Left-wing plot for higher council tax” as Scotland and Wales decide on council tax band reforms. The Tories have warned that England may soon mirror the proposals in Wales, claiming that “Middle-class areas would be particularly hit”. In Britain, there are eight bands ranging from A to H, with an extra one in Wales. Last month, Scotland revealed their plans to increase the number to 14 bands, with the Conservatives raising concerns that this may soon be mirrored in England.

If so, the new band K would be 4.2 times the band D council tax on average, standing at a staggering £9,626. Band J would pay an average of £8,361 and band I would pay £7,346.

The Welsh Labour Government is also reevaluating council tax bands with similar proposals to Scotland.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has before described Welsh Labour as providing a “blueprint for what Labour can do across the UK”.

Mr Cleverly said on Sunday: “When it comes to council tax, the SNP and Labour are a match made in heaven. However much they hike it, they can’t get enough.

“Scotland’s council tax consultation is a Left-wing blueprint for how to tax the middle class. Meanwhile, Labour are planning higher bands and a revaluation in Wales.”

He added: “Rachel Reeves is scrabbling around for ways to take more of ordinary people’s money ahead of the Budget. What’s being planned in Scotland and Wales is clearly on the table for Middle England too.”

The Government said it had “no plans to change council tax bands in England to mirror those proposed in Scotland or Wales”, the Daily Mail reports.

However, Ms Reeves is reportedly considering proposals to double council tax rates for the top two bands, G and H, as part of efforts to raise £9.4 billion in additional revenues by April 2029 – a 26% increase overall.

For primary residents, this would lift typical band G bills from £3,800 to £7,600 per year, and band H from £4,560 to £9,120. However, for second homeowners in more than 200 council areas already paying double the standard rate under the second-home premium, the changes would compound to four times the base amount.