"We pay more council tax than in a lot of cities" - decision to raise Blackpool Council Tax by 5%

The council needs to make savings of £12.5m in 2026/27 to pull back from its funding gap – reduced from £16m after a small increase in Government funding as part of the final settlement.

But the Labour-led council did not receive as much help from Keir Starmer’s Government as hoped.

Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said the council had therefore had to be “bold” in its action and its budget, which was approved at a special full council hearing.

We asked Blackpool Gazette readers for their thoughts on the decision to increase Council Tax by five percent.

One person said: “We pay more council tax than in a lot of cities and make millions from tourism yet Blackpool hardly changes in fact looks more run down than ever lately.”

Another person said: “ We already have one of the highest council tax burdens in the country Chris Webb MP are you going to fight our corner on this please? Many households are at breaking point already and can't afford the basic necessities in life.