Headline: Badenoch Considers Legal Challenge After Wandsworth Proposes 94% Council Tax Rise

Date: 18 September 2026

Tags: UK Politics, Conservatives, Local Government, Tax

Summary:

• Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said party lawyers are examining a potential challenge against government changes to council funding.

• Tory-run Wandsworth Council has proposed increasing council tax by £958, representing a rise of approximately 94%.

• Wandsworth says government funding changes could reduce its annual funding by £84 million within three years.

• Badenoch described the proposed tax increase as “outrageous” but said councillors were responding to government funding reductions.

• She accused ministers of redistributing funding from areas that do not support Labour towards areas that do.

• The government says its revised funding system directs council resources towards areas with the greatest need.

• Wandsworth currently has among Britain’s lowest council tax rates, with an average Band D property paying just over £1,000.

• Westminster, Richmond and Kensington and Chelsea are also considering challenges to changes in government funding.

• Labour’s Wandsworth opposition criticised the proposed increase, arguing it was unnecessary and reflected poor council management.

• Wandsworth councillors are expected to make a final decision on the proposed council tax increase early next year.

Why this matters: The dispute highlights tensions over council funding reforms and the impact of large tax increases on local households.

What’s next: Conservative lawyers will examine potential legal action while Wandsworth prepares to make its final council tax decision next year.