Haringey Council in London tops the list of UK councils with the most upheld complaints, followed by Lambeth and Kensington & Chelsea, per LGSCO data.
Local Authorities Face Record Complaints
From a widespread housing crisis to potholes on our roads, councils across the country are struggling. How bad is your local council?
Data from the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) shows the authorities with the most complaints. The LGSCO received over 20,000 complaints from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. These complaints cover issues from housing to schools.
Top Complained Councils
The Sun analyzed the data to rank councils based on upheld complaints per 100,000 residents. Haringey Council had the most complaints, with 53 out of 61 upheld by the LGSCO. This means 20.2 complaints per 100,000 residents were upheld against Haringey.
Some complaints included failing to adapt homes for two disabled children and moving residents to unsuitable temporary housing. An investigation found over 1,000 unread emails in the council’s social work inbox from 2019 to 2023, including 500 police reports.
As a result, Haringey is revamping its social care team with new leadership.
Other Councils with High Complaints
| Council | Complaints Upheld per 100k Residents |
|---|---|
| Haringey | 20.2 |
| Lambeth | 18.4 |
| Kensington & Chelsea | 18.3 |
| Somerset | 14.8 |
| Essex County Council | 11.9 |
Lambeth Council ranked second with 18.4 complaints upheld. Residents have said the council failed to help families find homes. Kensington and Chelsea, known for its wealth, faced complaints about second-home owners and council decisions.
Eight of the top ten councils with the most complaints are in London, including Southwark, Islington, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge, and Lewisham.
Complaints Overview
Outside London, Somerset and Essex County Council had the most upheld complaints. In Somerset, many households on Universal Credit faced higher council tax bills due to a change in the tax reduction scheme.
On the other hand, Tamworth Borough, Rushmoor Borough, and South Derbyshire District Council are among the best performers.
When a complaint is upheld, the LGSCO can ask the council to apologize, correct their decision, or compensate the complainant. The ombudsman focuses on complaints from locals who feel wronged by their council.
Complaint Statistics
During the 2024/2025 period, the LGSCO received 20,773 complaints, a 16% increase from the previous year. Over a quarter of these complaints (27%) were related to education and children’s services, mainly about special education needs assessments. Housing (17%) and adult care services (13%) were also significant issues. More than 10% of complaints (11%) were about highways and transport, including potholes and penalty charges.
Official Responses
A Haringey Council spokesperson stated they take complaint handling seriously and are committed to improving their response. They acknowledged the frustration of residents due to systemic underfunding.
A Kensington and Chelsea Council spokesperson apologized for upheld complaints and emphasized transparency in handling issues. They are working to improve housing situations for residents.
A Lambeth Council spokesperson expressed disappointment over the number of complaints and stated they are committed to improving services. They have made significant improvements despite funding challenges.
