A pensioner has been left questioning where to find the extra money when his bills are increasing and financial support is being stripped away.
Michael, who lives in a three-bedroom bungalow in Suffolk called into the Jeremy Vine show this morning to raise his concerns, revealing his council tax bill has hit a staggering £2,500 a year.
Speaking to Jeremy Vine, who was hosting a segment on whether it’s ok for council tax bills to rise, Michael said: “One of your panellists has said that council taxes haven’t gone up by the Conservatives. Well, my council tax goes up by £150 to £200 a year.
“I’m a pensioner. I’ve had my winter fuel allowance taken away. Where am I supposed to get this extra money from?”
After Mr Vine questioned if the pensioner lived in a “mansion”, which could answer for for the significantly high council tax bill, Michael responded: “I’m in a chalet Bungalow three-bed in Suffolk and I’m paying nearly £2,500 council tax.”
Mr Vine then asked the pensioner if his local council provides him with a “straight answer” if questioned what the money is spent on.
Michael said: “No, they won’t give you any answer at all. They just say well, I’m going to spend it.”
He added: “I’ve got to spend £5,000 in the next month or two for a new oil burner. Where am I supposed to get it? It’s okay to say we could have heat exchange units. It’s going to cost me £25,000 to £30,000 for a heat exchange unit in my house.”
Council tax bills have been rising annually to cover rising financial pressures, by percentages between 3% to as much as 15% in some constituencies.
The average household across England will pay £2,171 in council tax during the 2024/25 tax year, marking a 5.1% increase on the year before.
A consultation has recently be opened in Bristol due to plans of an unprecedented 15% hike in council tax. The council warned the city is currently facing a funding gap of £50million next year. The move would see charges for Band D household rise by £314.35 a year from the current £2,095.69.
With few noticing changes in services, as queried by Jeremy Vine viewers, many are questioning what the money is being spent on.
Kathleen, West Midlands, who also phoned the show, arguing: “We are not getting value for money as it is now.”
She claimed: “In my area, they have cut four day centres in the last nine months for people with learning disabilities. There is only one youth centre left open out of 60. The roads and pavements are dreadful.
Worryingly, hundreds of thousands of people are also thought to be living in properties in the wrong Council Tax band.
Consumer champion Martin Lewis has been raising awareness of the issue, which as been caused by a temporary and inaccurate “stop-gap valuation” to determine council tax bands carried out in 1991 still being in place 33 years later.
Mr Lewis said: “33 years since a stopgap temporary valuation. That is why 400,000 homes, it’s thought, are in the wrong band. Many are in too high a band.”
He is urging people to check if they could be due a council tax refund – read more about this here.
Pensioners struggling with rising costs are being urged to check if they can claim support from their local coucil’s Household Support Fund.
The scheme is targeted at the most vulnerable households and is typically used to help them with the cost of essentials like groceries, toiletries, and energy bills.
A few examples of how local authorities have previously used the fund include Birmingham City Council, which distributed grants of up to £200 to help households with food costs and energy payments.
In Plymouth, eligible residents could receive a maximum of £740 in vouchers.
People can find out how much their area was awarded at GOV.UK and can check their council’s website or call their office to find out what support is available locally to them through the fund.
