Greenwich council tax to rise by £96 as £45m funding gap looms

A 4.8% tax increase and a £45m shortfall test Labour's grip on Greenwich. Local elections in 2026 will reveal the impact on voters.

, and Administrator

2026 May 12 . 10:04 PM

1 min read

The image shows a map of the city of London, England, with a plan of the House of Commons and a... — The image shows a map of the city of London, England, with a plan of the House of Commons and a street proposed from Charing Cross to Portland Place, leading to the Crown Estate in Marylebone Park. The map is on a paper with some text written on it.

Greenwich council tax to rise by £96 as £45m funding gap looms

Greenwich residents will see their council tax rise by £96 for an average Band D home next year. This 4.8% increase comes as the council faces a £45m funding gap in 2025/26. The shortfall follows a £25m cut in government support. The local political landscape is shifting ahead of the next elections. Labour currently holds 51 seats, down from 55 since 2022, with losses to both the Greens and Conservatives. The Greens have gained ground, while the Conservatives now hold three seats.

The borough has historical ties to national politics. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss once served as a councillor for Eltham South from 2006 to 2010. Former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng also has connections to the area.

In the 2024 general election, local MPs Matthew Pennycook and Clive Efford saw increased support. The results of the next local elections will be announced at 4pm on 8th May 2026. Labour is likely to retain control of Greenwich Council, but with reduced dominance. The financial pressures and changing voter preferences will shape the borough’s future. The council tax rise and funding gap highlight the challenges ahead.