By Ethan Davies, Charlotte Hall, George Lythgoe, Declan Carey, Hannah Richardson, and Chris Gee

Residents across Greater Manchester will soon learn how much their council tax will rise by as authorities finalise their budgets.

Councils in the region are close to approving spending plans for the upcoming financial year, with outlooks dramatically different across the city. 

The law requires every council budget to be balanced, so projected spending equals projected income, and is passed by March 11 ahead of the new municipal financial year starting on April 1. As we near D-Day for this year's budgets, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has rounded up the key findings when it comes to spending plans for 2026/27.

Greater Manchester mayor

One body that has already confirmed its plans is the mayor's office, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Andy Burnham saw his budget approved last week (February 13), featuring a 20pc mayoral tax rise. Leaders approved a 19.4pc precept increase, meaning a typical band D home will pay £25 more next year, from £128.95 annually to £153.95. 

The Labour mayor has come under fire for the tax rises from opposition councillors, who pointed out part of the precept paying for his office will increase by 44pc, while the fire service portion will rise by 7pc. 

However, Burnham insists a raft of spending measures will 'significantly enhance the lives of residents'. 

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Headline policies include lifting the 9:30am old people and disabled bus pass rule, keeping the £2 bus fare cap until the end of 2026, helping drivers upgrade dirty taxis, and rolling out free bus travel to homeless children.

Stockport

Stockport council is planning to hike council tax by 4.99pc this year in a budget which includes making savings of £20m.

Proposed changes could also see parking costs go up in the town centre to save £500,000, and potential job cuts to the council's workforce.

Lib Dem council leader Mark Roberts recently slammed the Labour government over the fair funding review, saying Stockport's appeal for more financial support has 'landed on deaf ears' in Westminster, leaving the borough with a £75m funding gap over the next five years.

He said at a recent cabinet meeting: "We should be under no illusions here in Stockport that some of the difficult decisions that are going to be needed looking to the future are directly as a result of decisions and choices being taken in Westminster, and that focus that there is on London boroughs and the south."

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