Newham Council’s 2026/27 budget passed, protecting services, keeping Council Tax low, investing in homes, streets, and libraries, and supporting the borough’s most vulnerable.
Newham’s Final 2026/27 Budget and MTFS 2026/27–2030/31: Establishing Financial Resilience, Sustainability & Delivering a Fairer Newham, which sets out its ambitions for residents and secures the borough’s financial stability, was passed at Full Council last night (Feb 26)
In a speech to the assembled members at Stratford Town Hall Newham’s Mayor, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, said: “In this Budget, we have refused to settle for managed decline. Instead, we have chosen social justice. This budget is our manifesto for a fairer Newham, a shield for the vulnerable, and a blueprint for our borough’s future.
“What does this look like in the lives of our residents? It means that in spite every pressure the essentials remain secured: Our support for our young people, our care for the elderly; and our outstanding children’s services are protected.
“These aren’t just line items, they are foundations of a decent society, a decent borough. On housing, we aren’t just managing the crisis we are attacking its roots, we are strengthening prevention and building the genuinely affordable homes, our families deserve, so that stability isn’t a luxury for the few, but a right for the many.”
Cllr Zulfiqar Ali, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources said the Budget represented an important milestone for the borough, adding that despite the challenge of increased demand for services, Newham’s Council Tax would remain among the lowest in London and across the UK.
The balanced budget means Newham Council will no longer require additional government support to protect services.
The Budget ensures:
- Households continue to benefit from among the lowest Council Tax in London
- The borough’s cherished libraries are protected
- Increased investment in keeping our streets clean
- Households get a minimum of 5 high-quality waste and recycling collections every fortnight
- Homes people can afford continue to be built
The average Newham household living in a Band D property will pay £1,433.72 a year (£119.48 per month) Council Tax, plus the additional Mayor of London levy – much less than the London average. We’ll continue to support our most vulnerable households with a Council Tax reduction scheme that offers 70% discounts for eligible working-age residents, and as always, eligible pensioners can access 100% relief.
