Concern April price rises will push more North Yorkshire families into poverty
Both North Yorkshire and York City Council will raise council tax by 4.99%
Charities in North Yorkshire are warning a hike in bills next month will push more families into poverty.
Both North Yorkshire and York Council are putting up Council tax by almost 5% - April will also see the cost of energy and water go up too.
Fiona McCulloch is from York Citizen's Advice: "For a lot of people bills going up by £20 a week means they are going to have to skip meals so it is that tight for a lot of people and they are generally the most vulnerable people in York they are people with disabilities, long term health conditions and single parents."
"All the bills are going up and incomes generally aren't and we're seeing that all of these issues are going to create a perfect storm of people being in debt."
"We've written off over £2million pounds of debt for clients in York this year alone and it's because there is nothing else we can do, we can't put them on repayment plans because they have nothing else coming in."
She has this advice for anyone in debt: "Don't bury your head in the sand, come and talk to us, you'll instantly feel better if you talk to a friendly voice who says you are not alone in this situation and come and talk to us early."
What do the Government say?
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "While councils are ultimately responsible for setting their own council tax levels, we are clear that they should put taxpayers first and carefully consider the impact of their decisions.
"That's why we are maintaining a referendum threshold on council tax rises, so taxpayers can have the final say and be protected from excessive increases."
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association, which represents councils across England, said: "Councils continue to face severe funding shortages and soaring cost and demand pressures on local services.
"This means that many councils have faced the tough choice about whether to increase bills to bring in desperately-needed funding to provide services at a time when they are acutely aware of the significant burden that could place on some households.
"However, while council tax is an important funding stream, the significant financial pressures facing local services cannot be met by council tax income alone. It also raises different amounts in different parts of the country - unrelated to need.
"The Spending Review needs to ensure councils have adequate funding to deliver the services local people want to see."