As Seen On TV (kinda)

I was interviewed yesterday by Chris Choi from ITV News on the support available to people nationally who are feeling pinch of increased costs in April - including Council Tax. As far as I can see, I didn't make TV, but did get to their YouTube edition for a package on April cost increase. Fame at last.

On Council Tax, what I was trying to say was two fold. 

If you are on a low income, when you get your bill check their website for their Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Those on the lowest incomes can get up to a 100% reduction, with other reductions for different incomes.

In Folkestone and Hythe, that information is at https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/discounts-exemptions/council-tax-reduction-application 

And Councils aren't increasing bills for fun. Most of a Council's costs are in staff wages and contracts. Those contracts will have gone up by inflation. Those wages will have gone up probably by at least inflation (more at the lower end with increases to the minimum wage).

Percentage increases in Council Tax are often less than the percentage increase in wages and general inflation. That's true in Folkestone and Hythe this year for instance, where our rise was (in common with most district councils nationally) 2.99%. Councils are doing their best to keep Council Tax down: not least because as residents, Councillors pay it too.