Six areas have received special permission to exceed the standard cap, including Bradford at 10%, Newham at 9%, and several others at 7.5%.

Although the government is boosting funding to councils for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the Local Government Association has cautioned that this may lead to cuts in essential services.

Unitary authorities typically propose increases around the 4.99% mark, though Somerset has proposed a higher increase of 7.5%.

The council tax system in England is based on property values from 1991, funding essential services like rubbish collection and road maintenance.

This rise in council tax is anticipated to further strain households that are already grappling with economic challenges.

In London, proposed council tax increases vary significantly, with Barking & Dagenham and other boroughs suggesting a 4.99% rise, while Kensington & Chelsea is proposing a more modest increase of 4%.

Councils responsible for social care can raise their council tax by up to 4.99% annually, while smaller councils are limited to increases of 2.99%.

Starting in April 2025, millions of households in England will face significant increases in council tax, with some areas surpassing the 4.99% cap without requiring a local vote.

Several regions have confirmed increases, with Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, and East Sussex each set to raise their rates by 4.99%, while Essex will see a smaller increase of 3.75%.

In Bradford, for example, council tax for band A properties will rise by £135, band D properties will see an increase of £203, and band H properties will face a hike of £406.

Metropolitan boroughs such as Birmingham and Bradford are leading the charge with proposed hikes, including Birmingham at 7.5% and Bradford at a staggering 9.99%.

A detailed list of proposed council tax increases by region has been compiled, confirming rates for 153 top-tier local authorities in England as of mid-February 2025.