Norwich foodbank expecting tax and bill rises to put added strain on them
Council Tax, energy and water bills are all increasing from tomorrow
A foodbank in Norwich is telling us they're expecting to see a further rise in demand and fall in supply- thanks to an imminent increase in household outgoings.
From tomorrow- council tax will increase by nearly five per cent. While bills for essentials like energy, water and broadband will also go up - in what's being dubbed 'Awful April'.
"There's a range of serious knock on impacts"
Hannah Worsley is from the charity:
She says people's generosity can only go so far:
"If the people donating are having to cut their budgets to make sure that their own bills are met, then giving to charity and elsewhere, is going to suffer as well.
"It means that there's a range of serious knock on impacts, in many different ways.
"We are definitely going to be around for the next little while.
"We still want our goal to be achieved, that of seeing an end to all foodbanks.
"We know it's tough and that it feels unrealistic at the moment, but we know that change can and will happen if we work together.
What taxes and bills are going up from April 1st 2025?
1) Council Tax
In February- Norfolk Council County announced that they'd be increasing Council Tax by 4.99% for 2025-26.
This means that an average property in the County, (Band D), will now pay £1,755.63 annually.
2) Energy
The industry regulator, Ofgem, have confirmed that the energy price cap will rise by 6.4%, from tomorrow.
This means the typical annual household bill will rise to £1,849. (That's an rise of £111 compared to the previous cap).
3) Water
Customers of Anglian Water will see their bills increase by 19%, on average.
In real terms- this translates to an increase of around £1.72 per day.
4) Car Tax
The flat rate cost of car tax from April 2025 is £195. That's an increase of £5 on the current rate.
5) Stamp Duty
Home buyers will now star paying this tax on properties worth over £125,000, as opposed to those valued at £250,000.
First-time buyers will not pay stamp duty on houses valued up to £300,000, from tomorrow.
At the moment, the threshold for this stands at £425,000.
6) Others to be aware of:
The following bills and charges could rise with inflation
-Broadband
-TV License
-Mobile Phone
-Childcare