The Aporia
The Aporia
Yadav, N. (2026, October 28). Thousands of Londoners face 32% increase in council tax to plug shortfall in government funding. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/council-tax-increase-london-barnet-bromley-lambeth-b1302608.html
Yadav, Niva. “Thousands of Londoners face 32% increase in council tax to plug shortfall in government funding.” Evening Standard, 28 Oct. 2026, https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/council-tax-increase-london-barnet-bromley-lambeth-b1302608.html.
Yadav, Niva. “Thousands of Londoners face 32% increase in council tax to plug shortfall in government funding.” Evening Standard, October 28, 2026. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/council-tax-increase-london-barnet-bromley-lambeth-b1302608.html.
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As of October 28, 2026, Londoners face a 32% increase in council tax due to government funding cuts, with some boroughs facing even steeper hikes. Wandsworth and Hammersmith & Fulham have already been approved for increases of 94% and 150%, respectively. The "Fair Funding Formula" implemented by the government is criticized for not accounting for factors such as homelessness or cost of living, leading to significant funding shortfalls in London councils. For instance, Green-led Lambeth projects a £130 million deficit by 2029-30 and Barnet requires £135 million in emergency loans from the government to avoid bankruptcy, facing its own £200 million shortfall by 2030. Colin Smith, council leader for Bromley, stated that the funding reduction leaves no other viable option but to consider a higher-than-desired tax increase.
The north London council faces a £200 million shortfall by 2030, largely driven by a cut in government funding and rising social care costs.
Policies set to come into play, like the “mansion tax” in 2028, will mean properties valued above £2 million will be charged an additional levy.
