Council tax to rise by almost 5% in Milton Keynes this year, as Tories accuse Labour of wasting cash
City households are facing a council tax rise of 4.99% this year, bringing the average bill to more than £2,000 a year.
The rise was part of the budget voted through by the leading Labour group last night (Wednesday February 18) and it led to immediate criticism from opposition Conservatives.
They claim Labour has wasted huge amounts of taxpayers’ cash over the past few years on projects that have not yet come into fruition. And in the meantime, basic services are suffering, they say.
The Tories voted against the budget, which they describe as a plan that that asks residents to “pay more and accept less.”
As well as the council tax rise, the budget plans for rent increases for tenants and more than 50 role reductions within the council itself.
Tory group Leader Cllr Shazna Muzammil said the issue was not just the level of tax, but what residents are receiving in return.
“Year after year, council tax has gone up. In the last three years alone, it has risen to the maximum allowed. Residents are entitled to expect the basics done properly,” she said.
Her group raised concerns about major projects that have overrun, stalled or escalated in cost. These include the £10 million already spent at the Agora site in Wolverton with only rubble to show for it and the £1 million plus spent on Saxon Court, the council’s former housing offices, while it remains boarded up awaiting a massive tower block development scheme for 300 new apartments.
The Tories are also accusing Labour of “overspend and slippage” in the MK East development, significant cost increases at Linford Wood and delays in infrastructure works.
“When projects are delayed, poorly costed and poorly managed, you need more money to finish these projects. When costs increase, residents, through no fault of their own, are asked to foot the bill,” said Cllr Muzammil.
At the same time, she says everyday issues are continue to frustrate residents. These include deteriorating roads, flooded underpasses, slow housing repairs and neglected public spaces.
“This is about priorities. Council tax should first protect our residents and maintain the services people rely on every day — supporting vulnerable children, caring for older residents, keeping homes safe, fixing our roads and maintaining clean, well-looked-after neighbourhoods.
That has to come before everything else,” she said.
The new Revenue Budget for 2026/27 totals £317.146m and was voted through by the Labour majority.
They agreed the Council Tax Band D of £1.847.53 for the Milton Keynes element of Council Tax be approved. This is a 4.99% increase on the previous year (2.99% on the main element plus a 2.00% Adult Social Care Precept). The sum does not include parish and police charges.
Meanwhile, housing rents will rise by 4.8% for tenants (an average increase of £5.22 per week) and 2.7% for shared owners (an average increase of £2.77 per week). These are the maximum level allowable under the Rent Standard. Council garage rents will, however, not be increased during 2026/27.