On 2 October 2026, the ONS announced the publication of the ‘Council Tax: challenges and changes in England and Wales, March 2025’ statistical bulletin, scheduled for release on 25 March 2027. This retrospective analysis covers the 2024/25 financial year, providing the final validated dataset before the implementation of the 2025 Council Tax Reform Act. The bulletin will serve as a baseline for assessing the reform’s impact. It includes detailed tables on council tax requirement calculations, precept levels for police, fire, and parish councils, and the distribution of Council Tax Support schemes across billing authorities.
Key Takeaways
- Baseline Significance: The March 2025 dataset captures the last year of the pre-reform council tax system, making it essential for year-on-year comparisons. Key metrics include a national average Band D charge of £2,171, a 5.1% increase from 2023/24, driven primarily by adult social care precepts.
- Collection Performance: The bulletin will report an in-year collection rate of 97.2%, the lowest since 2013/14, reflecting cost-of-living pressures. Arrears at 31 March 2025 stood at £4.8 billion, with 62% attributable to households in receipt of Council Tax Support.
- Methodological Improvements: ONS has enhanced the estimation of second homes and empty property premiums using new Valuation Office Agency (VOA) administrative data, reducing revision margins from ±2.3% to ±0.8% for property count estimates.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement