Residents of Sunderland benefit from some of the lowest rates of council tax in England, official figures show.
Data by the UK Government showcasing the cost of Band D council tax across England has revealed that the city boasts the seventh lowest rate in the country outside of London, with residents paying £2,093 in 2025/2026, a slight increase from £1,997 the previous year.
Over recent years, Sunderland City Council has secured ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ ratings for its adult care, children services and several schools, and has introduced a number of free initiatives for residents, ranging from public wifi to bulky waste collection and pest control.
The Labour-led Council has also overseen the most transformational period in the city’s recent history, with over £3billion currently being invested across the city to develop new homes, leisure and culture hubs, office buildings and industrial parks, with Sunderland now held up as one of the most ambitious cities in the UK.
Cllr Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland Labour Group, said: “At a time when many families are feeling the pinch, we’re proud to be delivering excellent services at some of the lowest council tax levels in the country.
“This is about offering real value, by ensuring the bulk of our Council’s spending is with local suppliers, delivering services that actually improve the lives and life chances of our residents and investing in the infrastructure required to attract investment that is driving the city forward.
“It is about ensuring we are doing all we can to make Sunderland the best possible place to live, work and invest and these statistics are testament to how we are doing just that.”
The local authority is also ranked among the country’s most efficient, due to its by its strong record of customer satisfaction. In 2024/25, the Local Government Ombudsman upheld just 2.1 complaints per 100,000 residents – well below the national average of 4.7 for similar councils.
Cllr Mordey has expressed his pride in the city’s ongoing transformation and the work of staff at the local authority to deliver such ‘exceptional value for money for residents’ and has urged residents to play their part by communicating with their local Labour councillors where they see further opportunities to improve the city.
He said: “We have been on a transformational journey as a city over the past few years.
“Unprecedented levels of inward investment, rising numbers of tourists and thousands of new homes have made Sunderland one of the UK’s most ambitious cities, and that is built on the strength of a stable Labour led council that is able to work with regional and national government to ensure the city succeeds.
“We know that having a strong council, represented by Labour councillors who understand how to drive regeneration, is the only way Sunderland will continue the transformational journey we’re on.”
For more information on Sunderland Labour Group, visit: https://sunderlandlabour.co.uk/