September 23, 2026 - 240 views
The Welsh Conservatives are calling for a cap on council tax increases in Wales, with local referendums required if councils want to raise bills above the limit.
The party says the move would help protect households as the cost of living remains under pressure. UK inflation rose to 3.1% in August, up from 2.9% in July, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The call also comes ahead of a 4% increase in the energy price cap from October. Ofgem says the typical household paying by direct debit will see the annualised cap rise from £1,663 to £1,723, although actual bills depend on how much energy is used.
Speaking in the Senedd, Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar said average Band D council tax bills in Wales had increased by more than £600 over the past five years, with some households seeing rises of 50%.
He called on the Welsh Government to use its existing powers to introduce a council tax cap, with a referendum required if a local authority wanted to go beyond it.
The Conservatives are also calling for an independent review of the way local government funding is allocated in Wales.
They say the current formula does not properly reflect the additional costs of delivering services in rural areas.
The party's proposals come as councils across Wales prepare for another round of budget decisions, with local authorities facing pressure to maintain services while managing increasing costs.
The Welsh Conservatives say a cap would give council taxpayers greater protection against rising bills, while an independent review of the funding formula could lead to what they describe as fairer funding for rural communities.
The Welsh Government has yet to respond specifically to the proposals.
