A Suffolk MP has expressed his concerns over council tax rises after it was revealed that Ipswich has the highest charge in England for certain properties.
James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk said that the incoming shake up to local government "raises a huge question" regardless of what form it comes in.
Figures from the House of Commons library released this week showed that Ipswich is the highest charging shire district in England at £419.58 on a Band D property in 2025/26.
However, the vast majority of properties in Ipswich fall between bands A-C, according to Suffolk County Councillor Sandy Martin.
The discussion is part of local government reform.
The county council, who argue for one council have said that their proposals will keep council tax lower and provide better value for money.
The district and borough councils, who are in favour of three councils, said that their proposal would not see any rise in the tax, except in areas where it normally would.
Mr Cartlidge MP said: “The creation of a unitary authority in Suffolk – whatever form that takes – raises a huge question about council tax.
"Figures from the House of Commons Library confirm that Ipswich is one of the highest charging councils in England, charging the highest council tax of shire districts.
"At present, my constituents in Babergh are paying around £20 per month less than in Ipswich, and whilst that doesn’t include parish precepts, parish precept will still be payable whatever happens.
"The question is what happens to council tax for districts outside Ipswich when the new council structure is created. Will council tax be increased towards the Ipswich level or lowered to the level of other districts? If ‘equalisation’ happens towards Ipswich levels, this could see a surge in bills for my residents.
"In my view, it underlines why we need the unitary approach to save sufficient money to minimise pressure on council tax.
"Above all, as I’ve always said, it shows why the savings from any change to local government must be kept in Suffolk and not simply handed over to Rachel Reeves, or the new Norfolk/Suffolk Mayor”.
Published by the Ipswich Star.
