Category: statistics

Havering Council Meeting: Budget Setting, 4th March 2026

There is a legal requirement that Councils have a balanced budget. This is impossible because Havering is bankrupt. Its statutory commitments can’t be funded from revenue. The strategy is to add to debts to pay revenue commitments. This is fiscal insanity as the interest can’t be paid.

Enter Chris Wilkins, Cabinet Member for Finance (13 minutes).1,2 He declared the budget will be legally balanced because…..he’d organised more debt. The debt mountain will be £229m by 2029. Chris gives an excellent impression of being a nodding donkey. He doesn’t seem to understand what he‘s reading. A debt of £229m means interest payments will be 30% of the budget by 2029. Chris didn’t mention interest charges during his 13 minutes speech. Philip Ruck (1:31) noticed and was outraged at the sheer folly of it. Annual (unpaid) interest payments would be about £17m and would be added to the capital. Credit card maxxed out!

Keith Darvill (25) introduced the Labour amendment3 self-consciously. He was ultra-defensive and apologetic – as if he was speaking out of turn.

Michael White (36) gave a masterful speech. He demonstrated his command of the subject and critiqued HRA’s four years in a probing, forensic way. The principal highlight was his remarks about the GLA budget, which amounts to nearly 25% of the total Council Tax bill. He made play about the lack of a medium-term plan for the dire budget pressures. He worried about the impact of the Israel-USA-Iran war on interest rates. Michael made obvious remarks about relying on loans for revenue expenditure. Thus, he successfully trashed Chris’s blissful optimism.

Martin Goode (53) denounced the reliance on long-term debt to fund current expenditure. He demanded that the Council throw in the towel and face facts. He wants Government Commissioners to take over the Council. Gillian Ford (1:00) said only the section 151 officer could ask for Government assistance like this. That ought not be a problem as she had previously stated HRA was following an unsustainable strategy.

Keith Prince (1:01) has a curious flippant style, which mostly falls flat. He worried about debt and the borough’s future Council Taxpayers. Interestingly he claimed the borough’s woes were turbo-charged by the lack of detailed scrutiny. This is theoretically likely but Havering’s culture of absenteeism4 by councillors means more scrutiny is unlikely. Unlikely because it involves doing homework and turning up.

Ray Morgon (1:28) indulged in chit-chat. Judith Holt (1:34) pointed out special skills were needed to read a budget book 1070 pages long. Nisha Patel (1:40) did a good review of Michael’s speech reinforcing some points. Gillian Ford (1:42) had a breathless shopping list of achievements. The concept ‘strategy’ appeared many times. Brian Eagling (1:45) said that football pitches had seen fees rise yet again and that sport should be promoted. Oscar Ford (1:48) used fluent management speech. This didn’t always coincide with reality. Barry Mugglestone (1:51) was combative, which livened the meeting up. He and Keith Prince exchanged pleasantries about the Freedom Pass. They were both right, which made it more entertaining.

Jane Keane (1:56) did a Hollywood Oscar’type speech praising the Council’s staff. David Taylor (1:58) is a class act who will be badly missed. His nemesis, Andrew Rosindell, was given a quick going over. Andrew has consistently voted for the bankruptcy of Havering. Luckily he was in the chamber to enjoy David’s speech. James Glass (2:01) was demob crazy and is a loss. What he lacks in accuracy he makes up for with boyish enthusiasm.

Best speech: Michael White

Most sincere speech: Brian Eagling

Notes

1 Annotator Player All times relate to this webcast

2 Group spokesmen had 20 minutes for budget speeches. Astonishingly, Wilkins only used 13 minutes.

3 This Council calls on the Administration to introduce and promote an SME Support Package, initially, funding such a proposal from unspent UKSPF (and/or other unspent grants) seeking partnership for such a support package with organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Adult College. (Public Pack)Agenda Document for Council, 04/03/2026 19:30 p1073

4 Havering Councillors and Their Attendance – Politics in Havering

Havering Councillors and Their Attendance

Havering’s councillors collectively have a poor attendance record for council meetings.1 In the six months to the 14th February 2026, 55 councillors were scheduled for 374 meetings. They attended 320, which is a 14.5% absenteeism rate. The British absenteeism rate is 4.1%. A 14.5% absenteeism rate is a giant Red Flag for any employer. Obviously there are wild variations between councillors. Two councillors had severe illnesses and were given leave of absence by the council.

However

Most councillors didn’t have severe illnesses but still had appalling attendance records. Osman Dervish attended one meeting out of the seven. Carol Smith attended one of her three meetings. Damian White attended one meeting out of four. These councillors collectively attended three meetings in six months and were paid £200 per week each. This is £15,600 for nothing. It’s shameful.

However

At the other end of the scale there are dedicated councillors. There were 14 councillors who had 10+ meetings scheduled. Six had perfect attendance records. The Magnificent Six: Councillors McGeary, Morgon, Christine Smith, Summers, Taylor and Whitney.

So what?

Six years ago, Politics in Havering said Havering has too many councillors2 and current attendance records backs that up. There are piles of dead wood in the council chamber who need clearing away. Ten councillors were scheduled for three meetings in six months. If they weren’t there would anyone notice? They are make-weights at best.

On previous occasions when this point has been made, outraged councillors have contacted Politics in Havering denouncing the lack understanding. Claims to be hard-working ward councillors are made but can’t be verified. All that can be verified is attendance at council meetings.

And the attendance statistics are grim.

Addendum

Keith Prince, GLA member, attended 23 meetings from a possible 28 in the last six months.3 This is 82%. Three GLA members have 100% attendance records.

Notes

1 Councillors attendance summary, 22 August 2025 – 14 February 2026 | London Borough of Havering See also Sickness absence soars to nearly two weeks per head in 2025 for national figures and analysis

2 Does Havering have too many councillors? – Politics in Havering

3 Assembly Members attendance summary, 22 August 2025 – 14 February 2026 | London City Hall

Greater London Assembly Question Time, 15th January 2026

The Beam Park Station fiasco illustrates the importance of the GLA’s regional role. The proposed station involves multiple agents. Obviously the railway system is impacted with freight trains and the passenger network affected. Timetables across the entire route will need adjusting. Then there is the economics of the station. Will there be enough additional traffic for the extra costs?

Beam Park is a massive regeneration project, which Johnson’s government shunted into oblivion along with the housing. The station is pivotal for 4,000 houses. Havering always misses its GLA housing targets and the houses would be ‘manna from heaven’.2 But: No station, No house building. The ultimate Catch-22.

In a surreal bureaucratic moment, a planning application was made for……..A ticket office (November 2025).3 Not a station: Just a ticket office.

Keith Prince used his six minutes allocation at Mayor’s Question Time to raise the Beam Park Station issue.4 Amazingly there was an actual discussion. It’s amazing because most questions aren’t questions at all. They’re tetchy, sarcastic or rude comments. The layout of the chamber doesn’t help (see below).

Keith described the impasse: No station, No housing. The Mayor conceded Keith’s point. He said the non-station was “perverse” “ridiculous” and there was a need to, “get this done.” In a moment of joy for democrats, Keith and the Mayor agreed a temporary solution. And the solution was?

Havering’s new SuperLoop  service is scheduled to begin in Rainham. Keith proposed Beam Park. The Mayor pounced on this positive proposition. The new service would alleviate part of the problem, though it isn’t a solution. It isn’t a ‘done deal’ but it sounded promising. And this is sharp improvement on the normal negativity of the Mayor’s Question Time.

Notes

1 London Assembly (Mayor’s Question Time) | London City Hall Times refer to this webcast

2 Havering faces punishment for failure to reach housing target This is a typical under-shooting and a key reason why so many Havering families are broken up as ‘children’ move to cheap areas in Essex

3 Fresh Planning Application Submitted To Havering Council For Ticket Office For Proposed Beam Park Station. – The Havering Daily

4 From 1 hour 40 to 1:44 The question was: Can you provide an update on the delivery of Beam Park Station? Keith Prince is the GLA councillor for Havering and Redbridge.

A Comparison of Havering and Redbridge Secondary Schools, 2025

It is reasonable to compare Havering and Redbridge as they are outer-London boroughs with the same number of secondary schools. They are politically linked being a single GLA constituency. 

The government highlights the achievement of GCSE Grades 5-9 in English and Mathematics. These subjects are the gateway to post-16 opportunities and are the Gold Standard. It is imperative students achieve these grades.

The majority of Redbridge and Havering’s schools exceed the national average (see Appendix tables One and Two below). Redbridge has 14 schools achieving the Gold Standard whilst Havering has 11. On balance, Redbridge’s schools are qualitatively superior to Havering’s. Redbridge has two selective schools which hoover up the most talented 11+ students. Redbridge has six out of the top ten positions for achievement, whilst Havering has all five of the worst achieving schools. These positions have been stable for a number of years, which is worrying for Havering’s students.1

Note

1 Havering and Redbridge’s Secondary Schools: A Comparison, 2024 – Politics in Havering

APPENDIX: 2025 GCSE Grades 5-9 English and Mathematics

Table One: Above the National Average (Redbridge in italics)

Woodford County98.9%
Ilford County97.2%
Valentines75.3%
Coopers Coburn70.8%
Seven Kings70.5%
Sacred Heart of Mary70% 
Trinity Catholic64.7%
Ark Isaac Newton64.6%
Royal Liberty                64.6%
Campions62.3%
Ursuline Catholic61.5%
Hornchurch High61.4%
Wanstead61.1%
Loxford59.9%
Beal59.4%
Gaynes58.8%
Woodbridge58.3%
Oaks Park57.2%
Chadwell Heath53.9%
Hall Mead51%
Harris Academy Rainham50.3%
Redden Court48.6%
St Edwards48.6%
Palmers46.9%
Frances Bardsley45.7%
National Average45.2%

Table Two: Below the National Average

National Average45.2%
Abbs Cross45.1%
Emerson Park43.5%
Caterham43.3%
King Solomon41.7%
Forest37.1%
Mayfield36.6%
Drapers34.6%
Marshalls Park32.7%
Bower Park31.4%
Sanders Draper30.7%
Brittons27.1%

Havering’s Secondary Academies and their Disadvantaged Students, 2025

The government publishes an annual set of education statistics with GCSE grades 5-91 highlighted. These ‘Gold Standard’ results are the foundation for post-16 education. The Attainment Gap is the underachievement of disadvantaged students in relation to the non-disadvantaged.2 The legal definition of a ‘Disadvantaged Student’ is one who has free school meals and/or is a ‘Looked After Child’.

Is the Attainment Gap Inevitable?

Disadvantaged students, in general, do badly at GCSE. The Mossbourne Group3 have adopted severe discipline as a tactic for rectifying underachievement. This tactic is loved by some parents and hated by others. The first group are aspirational and those hating it often have SEND children who suffer in an unforgiving stmosphere.4 Mossbourne’s schools are focused on the Gold Standard. Havering’s academies mimic Mossbourne in only one respect – draconian rules on uniform.5 Havering’s academies have petty ‘zero tolerance’ policies. They don’t embrace Mossbourne’s agenda, which is gruelling for teachers.

Mossbourne’s successes are matched by Royal Liberty.6 However Mossbourne has 52% disadvantaged students as against Royal Liberty’s 19%. In Havering only Brittons has Mossbourne’s level of deprivation. Brittons has very poor GCSE results (see Appendix below). Seven of Havering’s academies have an 80%+ fail rate for Gold Standard GCSEs for disadvantaged students. Discouragingly every academy is below the Havering average for non-disadvantaged students. Havering’s academies fail disadvantaged students.

The attainment gap isn’t inevitable. Havering’s academies are unable, or unwilling, to change to meet the challenge.

The Human Cost

Using Royal Liberty as a benchmark, comparative outcomes are appalling.7 Sanders Draper had 23 disadvantaged candidates in 2025. Three achieved the Gold Standard. Another five students would have achieved the Gold Standard if they’d attended Royal Liberty.8 Five students were harmed by Sanders Draper in 2025.

Brittons had 70 disadvantaged students for GCSE in 2025. If Royal Liberty’s outcome is used, this gives Brittons 36 Gold Standard passes. They actually achieved 12. Statistically 24 more students could have achieved the Gold Standard. 24 students were harmed by attending Brittons.

The same story is repeated in 15 Havering academies to a lesser degree.

Conclusion

It’s shameful that Havering consistently fails the most vulnerable of their young people. A grim counsel of despair permeates the borough’s academies. Havering’s academies are in denial. The majority of disadvantaged students fail to achieve their potential. This is a tragedy with huge implications for their future lives.

Notes

1 Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College – Compare school and college performance data in England – GOV.UK This is the first in the list for Havering. Drill down to get the school you want.

2 ‘Disadvantaged’ means they have free school meals or are ‘Looked After’.

3 Results by pupil characteristics – Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy – Compare school and college performance data in England – GOV.UK This is an inner-city school

4 Mossbourne’s draconian ‘punishment no matter what’ regime linked to pupils’ self-harm and disproportionately targeted Black boys with harsh sanctions, damning report reveals – Hackney Citizen Compare this, Four Outstanding Schools and Disadvantaged Students | Odeboyz’s Blog

5 School Blazers: A Stealth Tax on Education? – Politics in Havering

6 Royal Liberty 51.9% of their disadvantaged students got the Gold Standard; Mossbourne 56.6%

7 Obviously they are even worse if Mossbourne’s statistics are used.

8 This is reductionist but gives a direction of travel.

APPENDIX: 2025 GCSE Grades 5-9 English and Mathematics: Disadvantaged students

SchoolPercentage
Havering Average – non-disadvantaged students54.2%
Royal Liberty51.9
Hornchurch High44.7
Coopers Coburn44.4
Gaynes40
Hall Mead38.2
Sacred Heart of Mary36.4
St Edwards35.3
Campions33.3
Abbs Cross31.4
Harris Academy Rainham28.3
Emerson Park25.6
Frances Bardsley19.6
Drapers19.2
Marshalls Park18.6
Redden Court18.6
Bower Park17.2
Brittons17.1
Sanders Draper13

Havering Council Meeting, 19th November 2025 (part one)

Havering is bankrupt and thirteen1 councillors were absent from this council meeting. Collectively they ‘earn’ £140,000 pa. Perhaps ‘No show, no pay’ would improve attendance?

Eulogy for former Councillor Mike Davis

Mike was a councillor for 12 years and a champion of the underdog. Pat Brown did the honours with a brilliant six-minute speech. Mike was a multi-talented working-class intellectual. His crowning glory was as an inspiring leader in the Tenants’ Management Organisation. He was a national figure with close connexions to LSE and the national TMO organisation. Pat was deeply emotional but sufficiently composed to read one of Mike’s poems. Jane Keane saw Mike’s work at first hand as a tenant in his TMO and fully endorsed Pat’s heartfelt eulogy.

He was my friend for 40 years and I mourn him.

Question Time2

Q5) Keith Prince Following media reports of large-scale housing fraud in Barking and Dagenham Council,3 how many Council officers do we have checking for housing fraud in Havering?

Natasha Summers has three officers working for her combating fraud. They are so successful, there isn’t any fraud.

I tried to imagine Mike answering this question.

Three officers check 400 tenancies monthly. But three is nebulous. Each have between 31 to 46 days annual and public holiday leave.4 Then sick leave days5 must be added. Statistics suggest an annual 30 days of absence. So, 15% of the working year evaporates for the three anti-fraud officers.

Investigations are slow. ‘Seven’ as a daily target is an aspiration. Numerous call-backs must be included for chasing up people unavailable during the day. This adds to the workload.

Mike would have given a full answer so councillors could understand the magnitude of the task. He would then have asked for additional staff to save money. He would also have been a great deal less trusting then Natasha appears to be.

Notes

1 Councillors Anderson, Benham, Best, Chapman, Glass, McArdle, McKeever, Ruck, Tumilty, Vickery, Williams, White D, and White M: Councillors Anderson and Tumilty have long-term illnesses No explanations are needed otherwise. This is a quarter of all councillors. For attendance over the last six months see Councillors attendance summary, 29 May 2025 – 21 November 2025 | London Borough of Havering

2 (Public Pack)Agenda Document for Council, 19/11/2025 19:30

3 ‘Corrupt’ housing officers suspected of fraudulently allocating hundreds of east London council homes for cash | The Standard

4 how many working days in a year uk – Search

5 Sickness absence in the UK labour market – Office for National Statistics See especially fig.7 Local government employees have the highest amount of sick leave

Havering’s Air Quality and the Launders Lane Scandal (part two)

Between 2014 and 2022 Launders Lane was ignored.1 A known disaster zone2  that was dismissed by everyone. The toxic infill caused dozens of fires across the site. Also in 2022, grass fires devastated Wennington Village with 18 houses destroyed. Political panic stations!

Politicians either follow, or don’t, the CEO’s advice but they carry the can. Councillors shouldn’t defer to advice, they should critique it. That’s the theory.

Frankie Walker (1:06)3 asked about timescales for the Launders Lane action plan: the ultimate question. The CEO’s response was pure, Yes Minister.4

After some exchanges with Frankie, the CEO said timescales were out of the question! External factors like: Planning permission; the Environment Agency; Contracts and a Judicial Review stood in the way. The delay could be years.Negotiations with the landowner were ‘slow’. The CEO (1:10) feeds HRA’s culture of helplessness. Ray Morgon (1:16)  said legislation was unhelpful but,

We’re absolutely committed to action but unfortunately we are prevented by factors beyond our control.

Frankie was unimpressed and councillors began their probing, forensic scrutiny.

Matt Stanton (1:16 and 2:11) was impressive. He asked whether officers had critiqued their performance from 2014. He worried how an escalating situation was unnoticed. His point became apposite when the director of planning (2:03) confirmed the emerging status of ‘Grey Belt’ land. Green Belt land could deteriorate into Grey Belt and become developable.

Judith Holt (1:20) drilled into asbestos related health risks. The asbestos on the land isn’t seen as a health risk. The Environmental Agency officer (1:24) tried, and failed, to calm her worries.

Jason Frost (1: 34) was very measured. He wondered if legislation could be changed. This remote possibility brought the CEO into soothing mode.

Christine Smith (1:38) built on Judith’s pointy by speculating on Zane’s Law.5

Ray Best (2:01) wondered whether brown belt land could be deliberately created as a strategy by landowners. The director was alive to this foreseeable problem.

Jacqueline Williams (2:08) worried about the legal status of the company. She was reassured by the CEO.

Throughout the meeting David Taylor was a model of chairmanship. He maintained the pace of the lengthy discussion drawing out points, which hadn’t had a good airing. He was inclusive. The meeting was a splendid advert for scrutiny by well informed councillors. There were probing forensic questions and answers were not always accepted as gospel.

Notes

1 Conservative-Resident Association (2014-18) and Conservatives (2018-22). Ray Morgon’s HRA (2022-present) inherited the scandal.

2 A court case resulted in imprisonment for the principals in 2014

3 (Public Pack)Agenda Document for People Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee, 21/10/2025 19:00 The report is very detailed and lengthy. For the webcast see Annotator Player All times relate to this (1 hour 6 minutes becomes 1:06)

4 40 years ago there was a popular BBC series which satirised the relationship between ministers and advisors. Advisors were seen as manipulating and treating ministers with barely concealed contempt. It’s still available on iPlayer.

5 Please Havering Council Support Zane’s Law To Ensure Robust Regulation Of Contaminated Land. – The Havering Daily

School Blazers: A Stealth Tax on Education?

An education stealth tax goes like this:

  • Children must attend school
  • Children must wear school uniform
  • Pay up, or else!

When schools insist on clothing with logos, they increase prices. The government says this is unacceptable. (see Addendum). But they didn’t tackle the cost of school blazers. Blazers are an expensive item of compulsory school clothing. Havering’s parents pay excessive amounts for blazers, which are a relic of a by-gone era.1

To save researching all 18 of Havering’s schools I reviewed six, which is a good sample. They are in alphabetical order.

Abbs Cross blazer costs between £38:50 and £41:50; Bower Park: £37:50-£45.50; Drapers: £35:50-£43.99; Emerson Park: £32-£45; Gaynes: £38.50-£41.50; Hall Mead: £34-£40.

Havering has nearly 18,000 secondary students. Wearing blazers is compulsory. A heroic estimate, based on experience, says students need three blazers in their school years. The Havering blazer ‘bill’ is huge. There are a variety of prices but let’s assume an average price of £40.

Compulsory school blazers is a £2,160,000 ‘tax bill’

Two million pounds plus requires an explanation when it’s claimed to be as important as attendance. So, what do schools say?

Abbs Cross “…all students to be in full school uniform and be suitably dressed for P.E., Games and Swimming.4 

Bower Park “We insist on the following simple, but smart, uniform for all students at the academy.”5

Drapers “There is no compromise on the uniform. Parents are asked for their unwavering support in transforming standards at every level.”6 (my emphasis)

Emerson Park We have a smart and practical uniform which must be worn during school hours and when pupils travel to and from the Academy….whilst also presenting a good image of the Academy to the community.7 (my emphasis)

Gaynes They list ten items of clothing, which are compulsory. Additionally, there are 49 words of *guidance* on hairstyles. The *guidance* can be summarised as, “If we don’t like it, you can’t do it”. There is no explanation for any of this.8

Hall Mead The Academy has a strict policy on school uniform. This policy should be read in conjunction with the Academy’s Behaviour and Attendance Policy, as disciplinary sanctions may be imposed for breach.9 (my emphasis)

It’s absurd to believe that any teacher who has stepped outside the school gates for 30 seconds can believe that blazers are anything other than an oddity. For them to also believe that blazers are critical to learning, compounds the absurdity. Yet, Havering’s schools do believe blazers are very important. They enforce their absurd beliefs with ferocious penalties. (see note 6 for the penalties Drapers school inflicts.)

Havering’s schools are locked in a performative tautology. Blazers are compulsorybecause they are. Blazers are co-equal with attendance in the eyes of senior management.

Addendum: Statutory advice on school uniforms

Single supplier contracts should be avoided unless regular tendering competitions are run where more than one supplier can compete for the contract and where the best value for money is secured. This contract should be retendered at least every 5 years….Schools should keep the use of branded items to a minimum. (my emphasis)

Source Cost of school uniforms – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Notes

1 Schools often provide access to second hand uniforms.

2 Abbs Cross Academy – SCHOOL UNIFORM DIRECT For the other five schools just follow the links on their websites

3 Havering has 17,951 secondary school students

4 Uniform – Abbs Cross Academy

5 Uniform-Expectations.pdf

6 Uniform – Drapers’ Academy see also Policy Title: p7  Internal Exclusion Room The Internal Exclusion Room (IER) is used as an alternative to external suspension. Pupils work for one day or more, determined by SLT, and complete their classwork in a separate supervised environment. They have a shortened supervised break and lunch at a different time to other pupils. (my emphasis)

Drapers use the Internal Exclusion Room to enforce discipline. Students are punished by having their educational opportunities reduced. Uniform is seen as co-equal with nine other infractions: Point 3: Arriving to school in incorrect uniform and refusing to address this.

7 Emerson Park Academy – Uniform

8 Uniform – Gaynes School

9 Uniform – Hall Mead School

Havering’s International Hospitality Hub: Hornchurch

Fluttering St George’s Flags announce English patriotism on Hornchurch High Street. On either side of those flags is international hospitality. Although I walk on the High Street daily I had no idea how blessed we are with an incredible variety in hospitality. Hornchurch is the hub of this blessing.

It’s about half a mile from Abbs Cross Lane to Station Lane. That half mile has intense activity. There are 43 hospitality businesses plying for trade. They represent a substantial part of the world’s cuisine. Twelve different nationalities can be found (see Addendum)1.

British food is far and away the biggest but doesn’t add up to half of the 43 businesses. Some of are very local. French’s café has been in Hornchurch for 80 years,2  which is the record. Hornchurch has behemoths like J J Moon, and others serving ‘pub grub’. The two Costa Coffee shops are owned by Coca Cola.3  Chains are from all nationalities. For example, the Giggling Squid  is Thai and Nando’s isSouth African.

Conclusion

There is every sort of dining experience in Hornchurch from cafes with a few tables and limited hours, to full-scale dining for a special destination meal.

Addendum: The International scene in Hornchurch

British (16), USA (5), Indian and Italian (4 each), Turkish (3), Chinese, French, Japanese, and Thai (2 each), Greek, South African and Vietnamese (1 each)

Notes

1 Where it is an international chain, I’ve allocated it to the *home* country e.g. Starbucks is American.

2 See Café Society: Hornchurch – Politics in Havering

3 I’ve credited Costa Coffee as British because it started here.

Havering’s Council Tax and the USA’s Alternative

Council tax reflects property values in the 1990s. The promised five yearly value reviews never happened because of political cowardice.

Property tax is reviewed annually in the USA, “…The amount of tax is determined annually based on market value of each property on a particular date.”1 New Jersey has the highest rate at 1.89% and the lowest is Louisiana’s 0.18%.2 21 states are above 1% and then the range is between Louisiana and Florida’s 0.97%.

So what?

The benchmark used for this blog is Maryland, whose tax rate is 0.87%. They are at the USA’s mid-point property tax rate. Havering’s average house price is £451,000.3 Using Maryland’s 0.87%, the council tax would be £3,923.70 for an average house, instead of Band D’s £2,313.4,5

Detached houses in Emerson Park average £1,125,079. Their effective council tax is 0.41% or less.5 In Havering, high value houses are under-taxed under the American property tax system.

Council tax is a failed property tax, which is political dynamite. Havering’s Band H houses would have a council tax increase from £5,161 to £9,788 if Maryland’s rate was used.6 Havering’s financial woes are 30+ years old. The financial crisis was created by Conservatives and maintained by cowardly successive governments.

Council tax is a sick joke benefitting the rich.

Addendum: Louisiana’s 0.18% property tax

Louisiana is *Third World* in many ways. Life expectancy is 72 years7 and literacy is 72.9%.8 If Louisiana was a country it would be failed state. It is an example of low tax levels destroying society. (A £3m house in Havering has Louisiana levels of property tax rate as a percentage.)

Notes

1 Property tax in the United States – Wikipedia

2 Property Tax Rates By State 2025 – Tax-Rates.org

3 Housing prices in Havering See also Havering Housing Market | Price trends and market breakdown

4 Council Tax bands and bills | London Borough of Havering

5 House Prices in Emerson Park Two houses are for sale at £3m+ and several at £2m+, which reduces the percentage that council tax represents.

6 A £3m house would pay £26,100 council tax in Maryland instead of £4,627 in Havering.

7 Louisianans’ life expectancy is lower than national average – Axios New Orleans In Britain it’s 87 years Life expectancy calculator – Office for National Statistics

8 Louisiana Literacy Rates – Studyville Literacy in Britain is 99% Literacy Rate in UK Statistics 2025 | Illiteracy Rate UK – The Global Statistics