Havering Council Tax Rises 4.99% to £2,424 Band D 2026

Key Points

• Havering Council is set to approve a council tax hike of 4.99% for the 2026/27 financial year, the maximum allowable without triggering a public referendum.​
• Residents in an average Band D property will pay £2,424 annually from April 2026, up from £2,313, representing an increase of £111 or £9.25 per month.​
• This follows a similar 4.99% rise implemented last April 2025, which increased Band D council tax from £2,207 to £2,313.​
• The council faces mounting financial pressures, entering 2026/27 with a £72.7 million budget deficit.​
• Last year, Havering avoided effective bankruptcy—handing control to government-appointed commissioners—thanks to an £88 million bailout from Westminster.​
• Primary strains include surging demand for housing and social care services for children and adults.​
• Housing demands have risen sharply: 300 households now seek council help monthly, up from 200 in 2021; nightly lets and hotels cost over £8 million annually despite securing 150 new family homes.​
• Children’s services are under pressure from Havering’s rapidly growing population, which rose 10.4% between 2011 and 2021—above London’s 7.7% average—with the largest 6% child population increase in outer London and fourth nationally.​
• Social workers struggle with caseloads, per an Ofsted report; more children require council-funded school transport; education, health, and care plans (EHC plans) have seen double-digit rises.​

Romford (East London Times) February 10, 2026 – Havering Council is poised to approve a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax for the 2026/27 financial year, pushing the annual bill for an average Band D property to £2,424 from £2,313—an uplift of £111, or £9.25 monthly—from April. This maximum hike, which avoids a mandatory public referendum, mirrors last April’s rise from £2,207, amid escalating financial woes including a £72.7 million deficit and prior reliance on an £88 million government bailout. Pressures from housing and social care demands dominate the council’s budget deliberations, set for final approval in March.​

Why Is Havering Council Tax Rising by 4.99%?

The proposed 4.99 per cent increment represents the highest permissible rise for local authorities without necessitating a referendum, as outlined in a recently published Havering Council report. As reported by journalists at the Romford Recorder, this follows a parallel increase last April, elevating Band D payments from £2,207 to £2,313. Council documents highlight that financial pressures are intensifying as the authority crafts its 2026/27 budget, due for agreement in March.​

Havering enters the new year with a staggering £72.7 million budget deficit, underscoring chronic fiscal strain. Last year, the council narrowly escaped effective bankruptcy—where stringent government-appointed commissioners would assume control—via an £88 million bailout from Westminster. These interventions reflect broader challenges afflicting many UK local authorities, though Havering’s predicament is acutely tied to demographic and service demands.

What Financial Pressures Are Driving Havering’s Budget Crisis?

The council’s coffers are most strained by escalating demands for housing and social care, both for children and adults, according to the report. As detailed in Romford Recorder coverage, these sectors represent the biggest budgetary burdens, mirroring national trends among cash-strapped councils. Specific figures illustrate the scale: the council now spends more than £8 million annually on nightly lets and hotels to shelter at-risk residents.​

Housing pressures have surged, with 300 households approaching the council monthly for assistance—double the 200 seen in 2021. Despite efforts to secure 150 new homes for families, monthly approaches continue to climb, exacerbating temporary accommodation costs. This uptick correlates with Havering’s population boom, which grew by 10.4 per cent from 2011 to 2021, outpacing London’s 7.7 per cent average.​

How Has Population Growth Impacted Children’s Services?

Havering’s children’s services face acute strain from its rapidly expanding population, particularly among young people. The borough recorded the largest six per cent rise in child population across outer London boroughs between 2011 and 2021, ranking fourth nationally. As noted in the council’s latest figures covered by the Romford Recorder, this demographic shift has overwhelmed social care provision.​

An Ofsted report highlights that social workers are grappling with unmanageable caseloads, complicating timely interventions. Compounding this, more children now require council-funded transport to school, adding to expenditure. Furthermore, there has been a double-digit increase in education, health, and care plans (EHC plans), which specify additional pupil support needs at school.​

What Does the Tax Hike Mean for Band D Households?

For residents in a typical Band D property—the standard benchmark for council tax calculations—the increase translates to £2,424 yearly from April, versus £2,313 previously. This equates to £111 more annually, or £9.25 per month, per Romford Recorder analysis of council projections. The hike applies borough-wide, affecting all taxpayers unless specific exemptions or discounts apply.​

Previous year’s rise set the precedent, lifting bills from £2,207—a pattern of near-maximum annual increments amid fiscal distress. While the 4.99 per cent cap circumvents a referendum, it nonetheless burdens households already facing cost-of-living pressures. No direct quotes from council leaders on resident impacts were detailed in the report, but the budgetary context implies inevitability.​

When Will the Council Tax Increase Take Effect?

The new rates will commence from April 2026, aligning with the standard UK financial year start for local taxes. Havering Council’s budget, incorporating this 4.99 per cent rise, is slated for formal agreement in March 2026. As per Romford Recorder reporting, approval appears on track following publication of the draft report.​

This timeline follows last April’s implementation, ensuring continuity in revenue streams to offset deficits. Residents can anticipate billing updates shortly thereafter, with payments typically spread monthly.​

Who Is Responsible for Approving the Tax Rise?

Havering Council holds decision-making authority, with full council set to ratify the budget in March. The Romford Recorder attributes the proposal directly to Havering Council, based on its published report under the topics section on Havering Council matters. No individual councillors or officers are named in the primary documentation, maintaining institutional attribution.​

Westminster’s role remains pivotal, having provided the £88 million bailout that averted commissioners’ oversight last year. Ongoing central government support will likely influence future viability assessments.​

How Does Havering’s Population Growth Compare Nationally?

Between 2011 and 2021, Havering’s overall population expanded by 10.4 per cent, surpassing London’s 7.7 per cent average. Child numbers rose by six per cent—the highest in outer London and fourth across the UK—driving service demands. Romford Recorder coverage ties this directly to intensified children’s services pressures.​

This growth fuels housing and care needs, with 300 monthly household approaches versus 200 in 2021. Despite 150 new family homes, £8 million in hotel costs persists.

What Role Did the Government Bailout Play?

The £88 million Westminster bailout last year prevented “effective bankruptcy,” where government commissioners would seize reins. As reported by Romford Recorder, this intervention staved off collapse amid the £72.7 million deficit projection for 2026/27. It provided breathing room, though underlying pressures endure.​

Such rescues are not uncommon, but Havering’s reliance underscores vulnerability.​

Are Social Workers Overburdened in Havering?

Yes, according to an Ofsted report cited in council figures and Romford Recorder. Struggling caseloads hinder effectiveness, amid rising EHC plans and school transport needs. Population-driven demands amplify these challenges.