This London borough will have the lowest council tax in 2025

The cost of council tax in London is going up. We know it’s not the news you wanted to hear, but every cloud has a silver lining, because one London borough has promised to freeze council tax for 2025, claiming it will make it the cheapest council tax in the country. 

Wandsworth Council in south west London has committed to freezing most of its council tax – with only the element spent on social care increasing – making it the cheapest in London. It’s being frozen for the third year in the row, meaning Wandsworth residents will be paying 2022 prices. 

A Wandsworth Band D bill from April onwards will be £990 per year (£82.50 per month), which the local authority claims will be the lowest in the country. This is a slight increase from 2024, when residents paid £960 per year. Wandsworth was the cheapest borough to live in last year too. 

Council leader Simon Hogg said: ‘We are freezing your council tax for the third year in a row. That means you will continue to pay the lowest council tax in the country.

‘Sound financial management is at the heart of everything we do. Wandsworth has one of the lowest levels of debt and some of the highest financial reserves in London, allowing us to freeze the main element of council tax and invest in what matters most to you – cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods and a stronger community.’

Council tax is going up in 33 London boroughs in 2025, with most authorities opting to raise the tax by the maximum 4.99 percent. This move comes as many local governments are struggling with funding amid skyrocketing costs for social care and temporary housing. Lambeth, Croydon, Newham, Havering, Enfield, Barnet and Haringey have all said they could go bust in the future if they don’t get more money to fund services. 

Read about how much council tax is going up in all 33 London boroughs in 2025 here.

Plus: How much is council tax going up in London’s commuter towns?