Council tax changes: respondent opinion

The following chart shows that the highest proportion of respondents support a 2% increase in council tax (46%).

  • A 2% increase in council tax was the most popular choice, with 46% of respondents selecting it. A third of respondents would support a 1% increase in council tax (33%) and just over a fifth of respondents were in favour of ‘no increase’ (21%).
  • Overall, the majority of respondents supported some increase in council tax (79%) despite there being no majority in either of the specific percent increases.

The following chart shows the variation in support of increasing council tax by age and gender.

The following chart shows the variation in support of increasing council tax by income.

  • The older the respondent, the more likely they were to support a 2% increase in council tax.
  • Over half of the male respondents supported a 2% increase (54%) compared to 43% of female respondents. However, a 1% increase was more popular amongst women (38%) compared to men (25%).
  • The smallest proportion of respondents who supported a 2% increase earn less than £10,000 (34%) and the largest earn £100,000+ (72%).

Council tax changes: funding social care services

The following chart shows that a clear majority support a 3% increase in council tax to help cover the cost of social care services (67%).

  • Respondents were also asked to what extent they would support a 3% increase in council tax to help cover the cost of social care services.
  • Overall, a clear majority were in support – 67% of respondents either fully (38%) or somewhat (29%) supported the increase.
  • Just 14% of respondents were not in support of the rise, with only 8% ‘fully’ opposing it.

The following chart shows the variation in support of a 3% council tax rise by age and gender.

The following chart shows the variation in support of a 3% council tax rise by income.

  • Overall, 16-24 year olds were the greatest proportion to support an extra 3% council tax (75%). However, this cohort were also the smallest proportion to ‘fully’ support it (25%), compared to 42% of 55-64 year olds. It was least popular amongst 25-34 year olds (18% oppose).
  • A 3% council tax increase is more popular amongst women overall compared to men (71% and 63% respectively).
  • The rise was most popular amongst respondents who earn £70,000 to £79,999 (85%).