Crap Towns / Tower Hamlets / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Tower Hamlets council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 230 complaints and enquiries about Tower Hamlets council, investigated 34 and upheld 31. That's an uphold rate of 91%, against 88% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 9.3 upheld, against 10.2 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 6% of upheld cases, against 14% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 35 cases, 24 on time.

What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26
OutcomeComplaints and enquiries
Upheld31
Not upheld3
Closed after first enquiries91
Sent back to the council to sort out first71
Advice given25
Invalid or incomplete9
All decided230
What people complained about, 2025-26
ServiceComplaints and enquiries received
Housing114
Education and children's services41
Adult social care33
Highways and transport29
Benefits and tax27
Bins, environment and public protection13
Corporate and other services9
Other7
Planning3
Nearby councils
CouncilUpheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Lambeth18.9
Waltham Forest16.1
Lewisham14.9
Southwark14.6
Islington12.1
Hackney11.6
Tower Hamlets9.3
Newham8.8
Westminster8.6
Greenwich5.3
City of London0.0