Ealing Council debt hits almost £842 million – up 72% in a decade. Who is responsible?

At the end of the 2025/26 financial year Ealing Council’s debt stood at £841.9 million. That is an increase of more than 72% compared with a decade earlier. Although the figure fell slightly last year, it remains almost 28% higher than five years ago.

Among neighbouring boroughs only Brent has higher borrowing. Hillingdon, Hounslow and Harrow are all significantly lower.

Opposition councillors point to chronic overspends in social care and to avoidable costs (including those linked to winding up the Broadway Living companies). The TaxPayers’ Alliance warns that a debt of this size should set alarm bells ringing for every local taxpayer.

The administration attributes the rise to necessary investment and rising care costs. Residents, however, are paying higher council tax while many services struggle to keep up. The question keeps returning: can the Council control its spending, or are the costs of weak financial management simply being passed on to residents?
Source: TaxPayers’ Alliance report published on 7 July 2026.