Londoners hit with raft of inflation-busting essential bill increases from today
Londoners will see inflation-busting increases in various essential bills on April 1, including council tax, road tax, broadband, and water.
Average annual council tax bill in England and Wales is rising by 106 to 473 a year from April 1, with some water companies increasing bills significantly. [ more ]
What is Pension Credit and how much financial support is paid out per week?
Older people are being urged to check whether they are eligible for Pension Credit as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) joins forces with charities and broadcasters to raise awareness of a scheme worth as much as 3,500 a year per person.Nearly 1.4 million people in Britain of state pension age and on a low income already receive the state payout to help with their daily living costs but more than 800,000 more could be missing out, according to MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis, meaning that approximately 1.7bn in help is going unclaimed every year.
More than 10 million UK adults struggling with bills and credit repayments
More than 10 million adults in the UK are currently struggling with bills with some eating less and cancelling insurance policies in order to get by, a study has shown.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found the number in financial trouble has grown by 3.1 million since May 2022 to now represent one in five of the population.
Council tax average bills will top 2,000 for first time see how much you'll pay
The average council tax bill is set to top 2,000 for the first time next month as local authorities buckle under growing financial pressures.Government figures released on Thursday show the average bill for band D properties will be 2,065 in 2023-24 up by 99.Households in metropolitan areas outside London will see bills rise by 5.1 per cent to an average of 2,059, while rural parts of the country will see an increase of 5 per cent to just below 2,140.
Council tax average bills will top 2,000 from April see how much you'll pay
The average council tax bill is set to top 2,000 next month as local authorities buckle under growing financial pressures.Government figures released on Thursday show the average bill for band D properties will be 2,065 in 2023-24 up by 99.Households in metropolitan areas outside London will see bills rise by 5.1 per cent to an average of 2,059, while rural parts of the country will see an increase of 5 per cent to just below 2,140.
Warning of service cuts despite 5% increase in average council tax bills
Annual council tax bills in England will rise by an average of 5.1% in April, as England's local authorities warn of cuts to key services due to unprecedented financial pressures.Government figures released on Thursday show the average bill will be 2,065 in 2023-24, an increase of 99 on the previous year, with 151 of the 153 top-tier councils applying some or all of the maximum 2% precept for social care.
Croydon and Thurrock councils put into special measures
Two local authorities have been put into special measures after struggling to recover from the bad investments and governance failings that pushed them into effective bankruptcy.The London borough of Croydon and Thurrock borough council in Essex have been told that government-appointed managers will take over the day-to-day running of operations, including overseeing all major financial and senior staffing decisions.
Local authority leaders criticise Sunak's call for restrained' council tax rises
Council leaders criticize Rishi Sunak for demanding restraint in council tax rises, blaming government underfunding.
Prime Minister calls on local councils to be respectful of people's budgets while some councils are requesting permission to raise taxes by more than 5%. [ more ]
Labour calls for energy firms to pay more tax on 60m-a-day profits
Energy companies are making 60m in profits a day from operations in the North Sea and should be paying more in tax to fund a freeze on council tax for cash-strapped households, according to Labour.Labour's call comes before the latest financial updates from Shell and BP this week.The energy companies are expected to report more bumper profits to the London market due to the spike in prices caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Starmer to launch local election campaign with claim Labour is party of lower taxes for working people' UK politics live
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Good morning.Keir Starmer is launching Labour's campaign for the local elections today with a pledge with a pledge that is simultaneously complete nonsense, but also an interesting piece of political positioning.In an overnight press release Labour says Starmer will announce that the party would freeze council tax this year if in government, a move funded by a proper windfall tax on oil and gas giants.
People in England: how will you be affected by council tax rises?
Council tax bills will rise by up to 5% for the majority of people in England on 1 April, with nine out of 10 councils raising council tax as part of their attempts to balance their budgets.More than half of local authorities in England plan to raise council tax by the maximum possible amount.We're keen to hear how householders will be affected by these rising bills.
The Tories could raise billions in this budget and not spook the markets but they haven't got the guts | Polly Toynbee
Was it that Mayfair launch of bottles of Bollinger at 350 a pop?Was it flicking through glossy newspaper supplements with their pages of hideous watches costing hundreds of thousands?No, surely last week's top shocker was watching both Shell and BP CEOs' pay double to about 10m each, profiting from the slaughter in Ukraine.
Starmer questions Sunak's mandate after he lost everywhere' in local elections
Sir Keir Starmer has asked Rishi Sunak who he thinks he has actually got a mandate from after accusing him of losing everywhere in the local elections.The Labour leader and the Prime Minister clashed at Prime Minister's Questions which was being held for the first time since last week's local elections in England.
Rachel Reeves says Labour does not plan to increase capital gains tax
Labour does not plan to increase capital gains tax, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has indicated, despite deputy leader Angela Rayner appearing to suggest rates were too low.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last week released a summary of his tax affairs, which showed that his tax rate was about 22% because most of his earnings came from capital gains which are taxed at a lower rate than income.
Labour says it would freeze council tax bills for one year with proper' windfall tax
Labour will freeze council tax for a year using funds generated by a proper windfall tax on oil and gas giants, Sir Keir Starmer will announce on Thursday.As he launches the party's local election campaign in Swindon, Sir Keir will seek to contrast Labour's approach with the Tories' decision in the Budget to ease pension taxes for the well-off with the scrapping of the tax-free lifetime allowance cap.
Lib Dem leader Davey targets betrayed' Tory voters
Sir Ed Davey joked that heavy machinery would be required to clean up the mess left by the Conservatives as he took a ride in a tractor to launch his local election campaign.The Liberal Democrat leader is targeting Tory voters who he claims have been betrayed by the Government ahead of May's council contests in England.
Council tax will go up in autumn statement, Jeremy Hunt tells MPs
Council tax will go up following this week's crucial autumn statement but the wealthy will feel most of the pain, Jeremy Hunt has suggested.The chancellor rejected a Labour plea to hold down bills as the Conservative 2019 election manifesto promised insisting some very difficult announcements are unavoidable on Thursday.
10 days to claim pension credit and qualify for 301 cost-of-living payment
Pensioners on low incomes are being urged to check whether they could be eligible for pension credit, worth over 3,500 per year on average.There are just 10 days to go for people to claim pension credit and still qualify for the latest 301 cost-of-living payment, which they will receive direct into their bank accounts.
Labour to crack down on foreign buyers of Britain's homes
A Labour government would impose new restrictions on foreign buyers of property in the UK as part of a push to help more young Britons onto the property ladder.Keir Starmer's party would raise stamp duty on overseas buyers and stop them snapping up more than 50 per cent of homes on any new development.
Calls for tax loopholes' to be closed as Shell makes 1.4bn more than expected
Shell became the latest oil major to beat forecasts on Thursday as an unexpected 1.4 billion boost pushed it to a record first-quarter result.The Government faced further calls from opposition politicians and charities to close loopholes in its windfall tax as Shell said it made 9.6 billion US dollars (7.6 billion) in adjusted earnings in three months.
Labour says huge BP profits are unearned windfall of war'
Opposition parties have renewed their calls for the government to close a loophole in its windfall tax on energy giants after BP said it made more than half-a-billion pounds more than expected in just three months.The oil giant said it made just under 4bn in underlying profit between January and March, citing a strong performance in its oil trading business.
55% of people expect Tories to lose seats in local elections, poll suggests
More than half the public expects the Conservatives to lose seats at the local elections on Thursday, a poll suggests.Some 55% of people told Ipsos UK that they thought the Tories would lose seats while just 9% thought the party would make gains.The picture for Labour was much better, with 45% saying they expected the party to pick up council seats.
Cost of everyday essentials have soared by 3,500 since 2019, says Labour
The cost of everyday essentials have gone up by 3,500 over the last three years, Labour has said.The party said official data shows that since December 2019, housing, fuel and power have gone up by 1,480 while food and non-alcoholic drinks have increased by 700.Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the figures are a mark of 13 years of Tory failure that have left families worse off, public services on their knees and brilliant British businesses on the brink.
Rishi Sunak branded Mr One Percent' by Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer branded Rishi Sunak Mr One Percent as the Labour leader launched his party's campaign for the May local elections.With Labour hoping to pick up seats in the May 4 polls in England, Sir Keir sought to contrast its approach with the Tories' decision in the Budget to ease pension taxes for the well-off with the scrapping of the tax-free lifetime allowance cap.
Starmer says Labour would freeze council tax bills this year
A Labour government would freeze council tax bills this year, Sir Keir Starmer will say as he launches his party's campaign for the May local elections.Speaking in Swindon, Wiltshire, the Labour leader will say the move would be funded with a proper windfall tax on the profits of the oil and gas giants.
Starmer wants to cut taxes for working people clobbered' by Tories
Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants to cut taxes for working people and ruled out a Swiss-style deal with Brussels as he vowed to fight the next election on the economy.The Labour leader also argued his MPs should not be on picket lines as the country braces for sweeping public sector strikes over the festive period.
Businesses face 300m-per-year bill under new Government proposals'
Businesses across England could be saddled with bills for around 150 a year under new Government proposals intended to help them with their tax.A requirement for businesses to update the Government annually could cost a total of around 300 million a year, analysis by Gerald Eve, a real-estate advisory company, has found.
Cost cutting and higher fares pushing TfL into surplus next year
Transport for London ( TfL) expects to break into an operating surplus in 2023/4 as revenues recover from the pandemic but is warning that infrastructure investments are still at risk due to long-term uncertainty.Across the coming financial year, TfL's predicted £9.1bn in revenue will cover its expected £7.9bn
A variety of stories feature on Friday's front pages from the rise in interest rates and council tax topping 2,000, to a wealthy Nigerian politician and his wife facing jail for an organ-harvesting plot.The Daily Telegraph reports that Labour's deputy leader suggested that the party should raise tax on savings and investments.
Martin Lewis warns food bills may never drop down to what they were
Martin Lewis has warned supermarket bills will never return to what they were - even with inflation gradually decreasing.The finance expert explained that a lower rate of inflation does not mean that prices are dropping, but rather that they will not rise as fast.Prices going down would actually be an issue for the economy as it would result in deflation, which can signal an economic downturn and perhaps a recession or depression.
Council tax: Millions facing 5% increases from April
Political correspondent, BBC News
Millions of households are facing an increase in their council tax from April, as local authorities try to balance their books.The County Councils Network (CCN) found three-quarters of English councils with social care duties that have published budget details are planning a 5% hike.
Mother and daughter left homeless' after council fail to repair uninhabitable flat'
A mother who claims she was forced to sofa-surf with her young daughter for more than ten years because of their uninhabitable flat is seeking 100,000 in damages from a London council.Amran Mohammed's local authority flat was blighted by leaks, mice, dangerous electrics and no heating, with the state of the property having a marked effect on her health, court documents show.
Analysis shows absence of levelling up in council funding
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Large disparities in the core spending power of councils in the poorest and wealthiest areas caused by previous austerity measures have only marginally narrowed in the last two years, new analysis shows.
Croydon Council says it's too poor to join legal action against Ulez expansion
C roydon Council is not joining five other London councils taking legal action against the Ulez expansion - because, it says, it cannot afford to.The local authority was left 1.6 billion in debt when Labour lost power last May.The bankrupt council has for months opposed the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion to outer London boroughs, which the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) aims to roll out by August.
Sadiq Khan urged to rethink his 40 council tax hike plan
S adiq Khan is facing calls to respond to the cost-of-living crisis by rethinking plans to increase his share of council tax bills by almost 40 a year.Mr Khan has indicated that a 38.55 rise in his share of average bills could be imposed from April, increasing the amount that goes to City Hall by 9.7 per cent, a record amount since he became mayor, ands taking his total demand at Band D to 434.
Mayor of London to raise council tax to fund public transport services - ianVisits
A previously announced plan to raise council tax bills in London to help fund Transport for London (TfL) as it recovers from the pandemic has received government approval.As part of the negotiations with the government over TfL funding, last December, the Mayor proposed plans to increase council tax in London by £20 a year over the next three years.
Council tax: Most London boroughs to raise bills by 5%
Image source, PA Media Image caption, The move means millions of Londoners will face council tax hikes of more than 100 from April More than two-thirds of London's local authorities will increase council tax by the maximum possible amount next financial year, the BBC has found.Twenty-three of 33 councils will raise bills by 4.99%, the maximum increase normally allowed without seeking permission through a referendum.
All London primary school kids will get free school meals for a year
The Mayor of London's new scheme will see 270,000 children at state primary schools given free school meals
The cost-of-living crisis is making it ever more difficult to make ends meet.But if you've currently got little 'uns in primary school, here's something that might ease the load a little.
Croydon residents start petition against staggering' 15% council tax rise
C roydon residents have launched a petition against the borough's plans to raise council tax by a record 15 per cent from August.Under current rules, town halls can only increase council tax by 4.99 per cent without a referendum, including a 2 per cent levy to pay for adult social care.But bankrupt Croydon Council was on Tuesday given special permission by the government to increase the charge by a staggering 15 per cent - two times more than most other local authorities.
Most top-tier English councils to raise council tax by maximum permitted
The majority of English top-tier councils are planning to raise council tax by the maximum permitted, with the bill for average properties to increase from April by about 100 a year, according to a survey.Despite widespread concerns over the cost of living crisis, about 75% of the largest authorities have opted so far for the full 4.99% rise, with all but one of the remainder increasing council tax by at least 2%.
London sees highest and lowest council tax rises in England as five more boroughs hike bills above 2k
L ondon is expected to see the highest and lowest council tax increases in the country this year, analysis revealed on Tuesday.While Croydon residents will be hit by a record 15 per cent rise in bills, those in Tower Hamlets and Westminster will see their payments go up by just two per cent.The majority of Londoners face a five per cent hike in their council tax from April, as town halls seek to balance their books.
Mapped: Millions face council tax hike - so is your area affected?
Three out of four councils are planning to increase their tax by five per cent from April, meaning some households face 100 being added to their bills.The cost of living crisis has already seen households stretched with many families struggling to choose between heating and eating.Now, official analysis has shown that nearly all local authorities are expected to hike council tax by five per cent annually over the next five years.
London borough plans council tax freeze and 100 rebate for residents
Leaders at the UK's richest local authority have laid out plans to freeze their part of council tax and to make a one-off 100 payment to all households in Bands A to D. The flagship Conservative town hall has endorsed a 2 per cent rise to fund social care, but has proposed not adding the extra 3 per cent it is allowed to this year to pay for general council costs.
Scottish Labour unveils policy to sell empty homes for 1
A Scottish Labour government will buy up empty homes and sell them off for 1, the party's leader has announced.Labour estimates around 27,000 homes in the country are considered to be empty, and Anas Sarwar used the first day of the party conference in Edinburgh to say it would reform compulsory purchase rules if elected at the 2026 Holyrood election.
Ulez expansion: Sadiq Khan asks Rishi Sunak for 110m to double scrappage scheme
The Mayor, in a letter to the Prime Minister, asked him to use a 30bn windfall in Government finances to double the size of the scrappage fund to 220m to allow it to be opened to drivers living in the Home Counties.Mr Khan's decision not to consult on widening the scrappage scheme to the Home Counties is one of the grounds on which five Tory councils are seeking to challenge the legality of the Ulez expansion to Greater London.
Free School Meals Dispute - Nathaniel Carson, Hampton School
Is it morally for some of the wealthiest pupils to get free school meals?(Image: North Yorkshire County Council) Sadiq Khan's free school meal plan causes some unrest Last week, Sadiq Khan the Mayor of London visited his old school in Tooting, to announce his new 130 million plan to give free school meals to every primary school child in London for the academic year 2023-24.
The best and worst secondary schools in Hackney according to Ofsted
The best and worst schools in Hackney according to Ofsted (Image: Google) Secondary school offers for those who applied on time have been released across the country.Councils confirmed the secondary school that your child has a place at on Wednesday (March 1).With that in mind, we have compiled a list of the best and worst rated primary schools in Hackney, according to Ofsted.
Newham Green leader Danny Keeling storms out of council meeting after being repeatedly misgendered
T he leader of Newham's Green party walked out of the borough's full council meeting on Monday night after being repeatedly misgendered by Labour councillors.Danny Keeling, who is non-binary, accused colleagues of discrimination following the meeting.The Stratford Olympic Park councillor was speaking against Newham Labour's budget plans when they were referred to as he by council chairman Winston Vaughan.
Croydon fails to sign off budget after huge council tax protest
A bankrupt London borough failed to sign off its budget on Wednesday night after a mass demonstration against plans to hike council tax by a record 15 per cent.Hundreds of people descended on Croydon's town hall to protest against the unfair proposals that would see around 235 added to the average household bill from April.
Council tax in Hackney to rise by almost 5 amid rising inflation
Hackney's Mayor Philip Glanville said the council's financial plan for next year is part of a careful and considered budget.It comes at a time of crisis where residents have faced inflation levels which are driving more people into poverty with inflation rates higher than most residents would have endured in their lifetime.
Islington confirms that council tax will rise by almost 5
The increase is the highest the council is allowed without going to the voters.It was approved on March 2 as part of a cost of living budget drawn up by the Labour-run council.It means people in Band D homes will pay an extra 65.60 towards council services, taking their bill to 1,380.25, plus 434.14 for services such as police and fire provided by the Greater London Assembly.
Forbes pledges to create housebuilding body if elected
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Kate Forbes has pledged to create a national housebuilding body if elected as first minister.The SNP leadership candidate, who said housebuilding was under immense pressure in Scotland, pledged that the organisation would seek to build thousands of homes per year although she did not set a firm target.
Would-be first ministers urged to put public services top of the list'
The three candidates running to be Scotland's next first minister are being urged to commit to making sure public services remain a priority.Leaders of the trade union Unison made the plea to current Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and former community safety minister Ash Regan as the contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon continues.
Government should not be within ivory tower in Edinburgh' Yousaf
The Scottish Government must not be seen as sitting within an ivory tower in Edinburgh, Humza Yousaf has said, as he pledged to invest in rural housing.The SNP leadership contender said he would commit 25 million to turning empty homes into new housing for people in rural Scotland.On Monday, he and Mairi McAllan a Scottish Government minister who is one of his supporters visited the Clydesdale Housing Association where they saw buildings which have been refurbished into new homes.
Scottish councils to receive extra 100m boost, reveals John Swinney
Councils have received a last-minute boost of 100 million, the Deputy First Minister has announced.Speaking in the stage three debate on the Budget (Scotland) Bill, John Swinney revealed the Scottish Government had received a 146 million boost from the UK Government and said part of it would be spent on funding a pay deal for non-teaching staff.
Croydon gets special permission to put council tax up staggering' 15%
B ankrupt Croydon Council has been given Government permission to raise council tax by a staggering record amount, it was announced on Monday.Residents in the south London borough will see bills rise by 15 per cent from April - 10 per cent more than most other local authorities.More than 230 will be added to the average household's annual payment, which comes on top of the almost 40 hike by Sadiq Khan for City Hall's share of the bill.
EuroMillions winner burned through 40m by spending 100K a week
One of the UK's biggest lottery winners was spending prize money at a rate of 100,000 a week, documents have revealed.Colin Weir, who won a record-breaking 161 million in 2011, spent around 40 million of his winnings before his death in 2019 from sepsis and an acute kidney injury.Mr Weir and his wife Christine, from Largs in North Ayrshire, became Scotland's biggest lottery winners when they won the EuroMillions jackpot.
Afghan mother-of-two says living in London hotel like a prison' amid affordable housing shortage
A single mother of two who fled Afghanistan when Kabul fell to the Taliban says living in a Watford hotel for six months was like a prison.Former television news anchor Zahra Shaheer is one of thousands of Afghan refugees who have lived in hotels for months on end while waiting for permanent accommodation.
Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March
Passengers using public transport in London face an average hike in fares of 5.9% from March 5 under proposals announced by mayor Sadiq Khan.The plan means the weekly cap for using buses and trams in the capital is set to increase by 1.40 to 24.70.London Underground passengers will see the weekly cap for travel in zones one and three rise by 3 to 48.
London Tube and bus ticket prices to rise by 6 per cent from March
London Underground Prices and London Bus fares will increase in March (Image: PA) Commuters will have to spend more to travel across London in the coming months after plans to increase fare prices were announced.It comes to an average fare hike of 5.9% from March 5 under new proposals confirmed by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
Council tax hike shock for London as Sadiq Khan set to add nearly 40 to average bill
S adiq Khan is set to hike his share of council tax bills by the biggest amount since he became mayor, it can be revealed.The mayor is expected to add 38.55 to average bills - a rise of 9.7 per cent in his precept - after the Government increased the amount that local authorities can charge residents.
Estimated 1.9m households have missed payments in the run-up to Christmas'
An estimated 1.9 million households have missed payments in the run-up to Christmas, according to Which?Which?combined the findings from a survey of 2,000 people with population figures to make the calculations.The survey found that around 6.7% of households had missed or defaulted on at least one mortgage, rent, bill or credit payment in the past month in December which could equate to 1.9 million households if the findings were projected across the UK.
UK tax revenues jumped by 85bn as Covid reliefs phased out OECD
UK tax revenues rose by 85.1 billion over the last financial year, according to figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).The global economic body found that total revenue from taxes across the UK rebounded to 775.6 billion over the year to March 2022, from 690.5 billion a year earlier.
Former BBC director-general backs reformed licence fee' to fund corporation
Former BBC director-general Lord Hall of Birkenhead has backed a reformed licence fee or progressive household levy as the way to fund the corporation in future.Ex-culture minister Nadine Dorries branded the TV licence fee outdated and in January asserted that this licence fee announcement will be the last.
Advertising and subscription models for the BBC won't work', committee says
Purely advertising or subscription models for BBC funding would not work, according to the chairwoman of the Communications and Digital Committee.Tory peer Baroness Stowell of Beeston, said a pure subscription model would not generate enough income and threaten the core principle of access to all.Meanwhile, an advertising-only model would also see a huge reduction in income and damage other public service broadcasting.
Sadiq Khan warns Londoners city hall share of council tax bill will go up by almost 30
S adiq Khan warned Londoners on Friday that his share of council tax bills could rise by an average of almost 30 a year.This will mean a typical household will be paying almost 425 a year to the mayor from April, in addition to about 1,500 or more to their borough council.Mr Khan published a first draft of the Greater London Authority's budget for 2023/24, with a working assumption that benchmark Band D bills will increase by 27.89 a rise of seven per cent.
Postcode lottery' sees areas worst hit by crime face tax rise to fund police
A postcode lottery is seeing areas suffering the most from crime facing tax rises to pay for local policing, the Police Federation has warned.The government has announced an annual funding increase of up to 523m for local forces in England and Wales, but the figure relies on increases to council tax that could generate 349m.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney has delivered the Scottish Government's annual budget statement at Holyrood, with changes to tax and public spending.Details were leaked to the BBC ahead of the scheduled statement, leading to Parliament being suspended for just over half-an-hour before the speech.
Tax to increase in Scotland and indyref2 fund scrapped under budget plans
Scotland's Deputy First Minister has announced an increase to income tax for the highest earners and scrapped funding for another independence referendum in next year's budget.John Swinney published the draft budget on Thursday, against what he said was the most turbulent economic and financial context most people can remember, saying an increase to the highest rates of income tax in Scotland would allow for an extra 1 billion in spending on health and social care.
Analysis | The UK Is Playing Politics With the Rental Market
For rent? (Photographer: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images Europe)The housing charity Shelter has its headquarters in Old Street, just a short distance from some of London's oldest social housing projects.Today, the few remaining social tenants rub shoulders with Britain's wealthiest tech entrepreneurs.Yet the outward calm of Shelter's offices and the prosperity of many passersby belies the turmoil in the UK's housing market and in particular the rental sector.
Inside youth centre benefitting from The Independent's cost of living campaign
For Glory Uhunarabona, the thought of Christmas approaching is not a happy one.The single mother of four has had to cancel her children's swimming lessons and seek help for buying school uniform and food because money is so tight.The 44-year-old said: Christmas is coming but I am panicking because the finances are not there.
I work 50 hours a week and I'm still in arrears on my council tax. What more can I do? | Sharron Spice
Thanks to Jeremy Hunt, council tax is going to rise by up to 5% and I am already in arrears.I don't think I can cope with austerity again.It was so hard the last time: I lost my job, I struggled and I ended up on benefits.Council tax was the first thing I got into debt with, because it's not a priority when you've got food to buy, a flat to look after.
London bus cuts: Sadiq Khan pulls handbrake on planned changes
Sadiq Khan has pulled back on controversial plans to axe numerous bus routes across London after a massive backlash by passengers.Transport for London (TfL) has announced it will only get rid of three bus routes following a consultation which saw more than 20,000 replies.The strength of feeling across London had been made clear, the mayor said.
Santander unveils new current account with cashback and linked savings interest
Competition in the current account market is heating up as Santander has launched a new deal which comes with cashback on spending as well as a linked savings account paying 4% interest.Customers with the new Santander Edge current account and linked savings account will be able to earn up to 20 in cashback and 13.10 in interest per month, for a 3 monthly fee.
Michael Gove dubs Lisa Nandy Labour's Marcus Rashford'
Cabinet minister Michael Gove has dubbed Lisa Nandy the Marcus Rashford of the Labour party in baffling comments in the Commons as the pair clashed over funding for deprived communities.Labour's shadow levelling-up secretary said the government must end the Hunger Games style competition for funds calling Mr Gove's levelling up department the biggest loser from the autumn Budget.
Raising council tax is "not the solution" to long-term pressures as finances remain "critical", say London councils.In the Autumn Statement announced on Thursday, the threshold on council tax will be raised to 5%.Borough leaders said the rise would put immense pressure on already hard-stretched residents.
Consumer confidence at near historic low despite slight increase
Consumer confidence rose slightly in November in a probable collective sigh of relief after the chaos of the mini budget but remains at a near historic low.GfK's long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased three points to minus 44 with improvements across all measures registering the financial and economic mood of the nation.
Londoners face council tax hike of up to 5 following Autumn Statement
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, visiting St Jude's CofE Primary School in south London after delivering his Autumn Statement (Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA) Local authorities will be able to to raise council tax by 5 per cent without holding a referendum - but London Councils says even this would not fill the funding shortfall.
Grim council tax warning as London boroughs need to plug 700m blackhole' in finances
L ondon local authorities have warned a 5% hike in council tax will barely touch the sides of the capital's funding shortfall.Boroughs have a 700million financial blackhole to plug as the cost of living continues to sky-rocket, according to analysis by London Councils.The umbrella group said council finances remain in critical condition at a time when they will be even more reluctant than usual to raise tax because of soaring budget pressures on families.
Council tax: London boroughs where bills could hit 2,000 for first time next year
T he Chancellor has been warned council tax increases are "not an answer" as hundreds of thousands of Londoners face 2,000 bills for the first time.Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce greater flexibility for town halls to raise council tax in his autumn statement on Thursday, with plans for 5 per cent rises being discussed by the Treasury.
Councils would need to hike council tax by 20% to plug funding gap LGA
Councils in England would need to increase council tax by a fifth over the next two years to plug a gap in Government funding, analysis suggests.The shortfall in funding is too big to be tackled by rising council tax alone, warns the Local Government Association (LGA).LGA analysis suggests councils will face a 3.4 billion funding gap in 2023-24 rising to 4.5 billion in 2024-25.
Sunak refuses to apologise for economic damage dealt by Truss
Rishi Sunak has declined to apologise for the mistakes of Liz Truss's government that are expected to add billions of pounds of tax hikes and spending cuts to his budget.The Prime Minister instead insisted on Tuesday that he will make difficult decisions that are required to fix the missteps of his Conservative predecessor in No 10.
Martin Lewis says thousands being ripped off when it comes to savings rates
Martin Lewis has said that thousands are being duped and ripped off when it comes to savings rates and that it was time to stop the savings rip-off.The MoneySavingExpert founder said that many people are getting much less interest than they deserve and that they should consider switching.Savings rates are at their highest since 2009, with fixed-rate accounts now offering an interest as high as 4.85 per cent, he said in a special live episode of the Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV.
Jeremy Hunt statement could trigger huge rises in council tax
Households could face massive hikes in council tax under a plan understood to be under consideration by Rishi Sunak and chancellor Jeremy Hunt as they struggle to fill a 60bn black hole in the government finances.Ministers are said to be thinking the unthinkable as they try to find a way to balance the books in Mr Hunt's crucial 17 November Autumn Statement, which is expected to set out an austerity package of spending cuts and tax rises.
Martin Lewis says thousands being ripped off when it comes to savings rates
Martin Lewis has said that thousands are being duped and ripped off when it comes to savings rates and that it was time to stop the savings rip-off.The MoneySavingExpert founder said that many people are getting much less interest than they deserve and that they should consider switching.Savings rates are at their highest since 2009, with fixed-rate accounts now offering an interest as high as 4.85 per cent, he said in a special live episode of the Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV.
Martin Lewis shares tip to save thousands on council tax bills
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has shared a way to potentially save thousands of pounds in council tax.Speaking on ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show this week, he shared the little-known fact that Britons could be entitled to a Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) discount which could save them from paying council tax on their property.