Wandsworth Council has announced a significant rise in council taxes for Band D properties, which will increase by 94 per cent, adding £958 to annual bills starting in April 2027. This decision follows a reduction in government funding of £84 million, linked to the national Fair Funding reforms. These reforms aim to redistribute local government funding from London to other parts of the country, but they have led to a 40 per cent cut in Wandsworth’s budget for essential services such as parks, waste collection, and street cleaning. The Conservative-led council says the tax increase will go ahead unless the government revises its funding cuts. Councillors have expressed concerns over the “significant financial pressure” brought on by these reforms, along with rising costs and increased demand for public services. Deputy Leader Peter Graham said the council does not want to raise taxes but believes it is necessary unless the government changes its approach. “Council tax will need to rise unless the government thinks again,” he said. “We do not want to do this, and we do not take this decision lightly, but the scale of the financial pressure facing Wandsworth means additional income is now needed to protect the services people rely on. Residents should not be left to carry the cost of an unfair funding system.” Wandsworth previously had one of the lowest council tax rates in the UK. The council has submitted a proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act, joining other London boroughs such as Westminster, Richmond upon Thames, and Kensington and Chelsea. It has also submitted a proposal for the government’s Autumn Budget. Typically, councils increase council tax by a maximum of 4.99 per cent, but six councils, including Wandsworth, have been given the authority by the government to raise taxes by larger amounts for two years without needing a vote from residents. This power was granted to these councils to help them manage financial pressures caused by the funding reforms. While Wandsworth’s proposed tax increase is much higher than the typical allowable rise, the council argues it is necessary to maintain essential services. The move highlights the growing tension between local authorities and the government over funding responsibilities and the impact of national policy on local communities.