UK council websites rank among the most accessible for disabled users and require the least improvement going into 2026, according to the State of Accessibility Report from brand communications agency Warbox.
The study analysed Google Accessibility Scores for more than 1,200 UK websites across 14 sectors. It found that nearly half (48 percent) of UK websites will need accessibility upgrades in 2026 or risk excluding users with disabilities.
Local authorities came out on top, with just eight percent of council sites needing improvement – significantly below the national average. Researchers say this is likely driven by legal requirements to meet WCAG standards, ensuring residents can access essential online services.
In contrast, travel and tourism companies were the poorest performers, with 79 percent of websites requiring improvement.
More than 350 council websites were assessed. Northern Ireland scored highest, with 100 percent of sites achieving a ‘good’ score (90–100), followed by Scotland (93.5 percent), England (91.8 percent) and Wales (90.9 percent). Only one council – Wyre Forest District Council – recorded a ‘poor’ score below 50, at 44.
Accessibility issues such as small fonts or low-contrast colours can prevent users from buying products or accessing critical services, the report warns.
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Tania Gerard, accessible marketing consultant and founder of Tania Gerard Digital, said poor design directly impacts trust.
“When accessibility is poor, customers don’t just leave a website; they form a lasting impression. It tells them the brand hasn’t considered their needs, which erodes crucial trust.”
The findings come as 80 percent of UK disabled adults say they feel excluded by inaccessible digital services — and believe brands are missing out on millions in lost revenue.
Warbox co-founder Mark Fensom said accessibility must be prioritised from the outset.
“Some simple changes like adding image and video descriptions, making sure buttons are easy to spot, and forms have the right labels, are a good place to start… ultimately, it’s a brand’s duty to champion website accessibility for their customers.”
