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# Council tax in Ipswich set to rise by 5% under new budget plans
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/council-tax-in-ipswich-set-to-rise-by-5pc-under-new-budget-plans/
- Published: 2025-01-06T15:22:34.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:26:13.000Z
- Description: Suffolk County Council has proposed a 5% council tax increase as part of its £803.7 million budget for 2025/26.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Elected leaders and local democracy, #article, Suffolk County Council, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**Why it matters**: The unwelcome tax hike will further eat into the disposable incomes of Ipswich families already contending with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

**The big picture**: The council's net budget is set to rise by 6.7%, from £752.9 million to £803.7 million, with significant increases allocated to adult care (an extra £35.2 million) and an extra £18.1 million for children's services.

This follows the government's decision not to award Suffolk any funding from the new [£600 million Recovery Grant](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/69-billion-to-support-councils-and-help-deliver-plan-for-change?ref=ipswich.co.uk) despite what the council describes as "significant deprivation levels" in the county.

![Entrance to Endeavour House, the Suffolk County Council office building](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1722118180-endeavour-house-suffolk-county-council-jpeg-4.jpg)

Suffolk County Council has proposed a 5% council tax increase as part of its £803.7 million budget for 2025/26 Photo: Oliver Rouane-Williams (Ipswich.co.uk)

**By the numbers**: Council tax will increase by 4.99%, with 2.99% allocated to general council tax plus an extra 2% for adult care.

- Council tax for Band B properties (the most common in Suffolk) will increase to £24.67 per week, costing households an additional £61 per year.
- Band D properties will increase to £31.72 per week, costing households an additional £79 per year.

**What's next**: The budget proposals will be discussed at a Scrutiny Meeting on Tuesday, 14 January, before being debated and voted on at a Full Council meeting on Thursday, 13 February. Residents can watch the budget scrutiny meeting live on the council's YouTube channel, with relevant papers available on the council's committee minutes website.

**The bottom line**: While the council says the tax rise is necessary to protect vital services, Ipswich households will be paying their highest-ever council tax rates, adding further pressure to household budgets during challenging economic times.

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