Households face being asked to pay an extra £60 in council tax as rubbish collection strikes hit their worst level in 40 years.
Bin collection strikes are at their highest in nearly four decades nationally, but households in the areas affected will see their bills increase from April, with average rises from £48 to £69.
In Wiltshire, where recycling collections are suspended until March 21, bills will rise £69 for an average Band D property.
In West Sussex, workers at Adur and Worthing councils began a two-week strike on Monday over pay.
Council tax bills for residents in the area will rise by £69 and £60 to £2,126 and £2,033, respectively.
Coventry council has asked households to reserve slots. Council tax bills will rise by £66 to £2,075 next year.
Has your new council tax rate letter arrived? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
People in council tax bands A to D will receive a £150 discount on their council tax from next month, when the latest increases take effect.
The GMB union said lorry drivers were taking action to secure pay rises that keep pace with inflation amid warnings it could soon reach 8%.
It noted that drivers could be paid more in other jobs because of the demand for qualified HGV drivers. The dispute involving refuse collection workers in Coventry involves the trade union Unite.
Households across the UK are facing huge council tax hikes from April as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
The official cap on how much local authorities can increase council tax by is 5% – this is made up of a 2% council tax rise and an additional 3% for social care.
Councils can technically ask to charge more than this, but they have to hold a referendum with residents first.
Any new council tax rates always come in from the start of April, to tie in with the new tax year.
This means many local authorities are now confirming how much residents will see their bills go up by in just a few weeks.
How to find out how much your council tax is going up by
Councils across the UK are starting to set out how much bills will go up by from April 2022. These rates will be in place until March 2023. You should receive a breakdown of how your bill is changing in the post over the next few weeks.
Surrey County Council and Lincolnshire County Council, for example, have approved 4.99% rises, while Lancashire County Council said taxes will go up by 3.99%.
West Sussex and Kent County Council have both proposed a 2.99% hike, as have Suffolk County Council, Norfolk County Council and Liverpool Council.
East Sussex County Council has agreed a 1.99% council tax increase.
The rate you’re charged for council tax depends on what council tax band your property is in.
How to check your council tax band
Each property is placed into a council tax band. This determines how much council tax you pay.
The band you're placed in is calculated based on the value your property would have been worth in April 1991.
Your house will be arranged into one of eight bands if you’re based in Scotland or England:
Band A – up to £40,000
Band B – £40,000 to £52,000
Band C – £52,000 to £68,000
Band D – £68,000 to £88,000
Band E – £88,000 to £120,000
Band F – £120,000 to £160,000
Band G – £160,000 to £320,000
Band H – property value over £320,000
In Wales, there are nine bands. which are as follows:
Band A – under £44,000
Band B – £44,001 to £65,000
Band C – £65,001 to £91,000
Band D – £91,001 to £123,000
Band E – £123,001 to £162,000
Band F – £162,001 to £223,000
Band G – £223,001 to £324,000
Band H – £324,001 to £424,000
Band I – property value over £424,001
In Northern Ireland, there is no system of council tax bands, as domestic rates based on rental prices instead.
If you live in England and Wales, the best way to check your Council Tax band is via the official government page. All you need to do is enter address or postcode on the government page and that should tell what band you are in.
Those living in Scotland can use the Scottish Assessors website to check their band. In Northern Ireland, you can find more information on how properties are valued through the Northern Ireland government website.
How to lower your council tax bill
A new £150 council tax rebate scheme has just been confirmed by the government - and this will apply to your bill from this April.
It applies to homes in council tax bands A, B, C or D in England and Wales - roughly 80% of properties - but not those who live in council tax bands E, F, G and H.
Scotland residents will also be entitled to £150 off if they are in bands A to D - but they're also qualify if they're currently getting a council tax reduction as well.
If you're not covered by the rebate, there are other ways to lower your council tax bill.
Some people could be entitled to a council tax discount ranging from 25% to 100% off your bill - but the help offered depends on where you live and your circumstances, such as any means-tested benefits you receive and how many residents there are in your home. See our guide on council tax discounts, here.
