Families across Beverley and Holderness are facing a £200 council tax rise within the next three years, adding to the cost-of-living pressures already hitting households across the area.
Households are already dealing with higher heating oil costs, rising food prices and increased transport costs, with many cutting back just to keep up. This latest rise will stretch budgets further.
While Government says council funding is increasing, much of that relies on councils raising council tax locally. In practice, that means families are being asked to pay more to make up the shortfall.
New figures show that, once council tax increases are stripped out, Government support for East Riding is set to fall by £27.5 million by 2028–29, rising to a £32.2 million reduction in real terms.
This leaves councils with little choice but to raise council tax to maintain essential services, shifting the cost directly onto local families.
Graham has been raising these pressures both locally and in Parliament. Through his cost-of-living campaign, he has gathered evidence from residents across the constituency, showing the impact of rising bills on working families, pensioners and rural communities.
He has pushed for action on heating oil costs, backed the continued freeze in fuel duty to keep transport costs down, and challenged ministers to deliver meaningful support for households facing rising everyday costs.
Residents have told Graham they are already cutting back to cope, with many warning that another increase risks pushing household budgets further.
The cost of living is one of the biggest pressures facing families in Beverley and Holderness. That’s why Graham keeps coming back to it.
If rising costs are affecting you, share your experience at grahamstuart.com/costofliving.
Graham said:
“People here work hard and play by the rules, but they are being squeezed from every direction.
“Bills are already rising. Now families are being asked to pay more in council tax as well.
“This isn’t because of decisions taken locally. It’s because Government has chosen not to properly fund councils and is leaving families to make up the difference.
“I’ve raised this in Parliament and I will keep pushing until people here get a fair deal.”