The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
‘I’m scared of losing home as bills go up’
With the cost of living soaring and council tax becoming the latest expense to grow, people in Perth are fearing they could be left homeless.
This week Perth and Kinross Council announced council tax bills will go up by 2.5% – an increase of £33 per year for Band D properties.
Combined with the removal of the energy price cap and soaring food bills, locals fear the rising costs will be more than they can afford.
Council leader Murray Lyle said the rise – lower than the 4.25% initially proposed – will allow the authority to support people recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.
We spoke to two women living in Perth city centre who fear they won’t be able to cope.
Ellen Bauchope, 24, said: “For me personally any gradually mounting costs could mean having to give up my flat, which is very scary to think about.
“I live alone, and before Christmas my place of work cut staff hours to save costs in the face of the Omicron variant (of coronavirus). I have already been facing financial strain due to the drop in income, now I have this to worry about too.
“Many people living alone in their mid-20s like myself will be feeling the same financial anxiety.
“I’m already trying the best I can to keep my personal costs down, and I’m not really sure how else to save money.”
She added: “I would be totally gutted to lose my flat, I can’t even think about it. My mental health is suffering as a result and I am concerned that if I lose my flat, this will only get worse.”
Kirsten Roper, 33, is a Labour candidate in the upcoming council elections who also lives in the city centre.
She said she will have to buy less food and fuel when the council tax rise kicks in on April 1.
She said: “It’s very worrying to me. I’m concerned about putting food on the table.
“Although I work fulltime, my wage is low enough that I still receive a top-up from Universal Credit and I have to carefully budget each month. I’m not just worried about right now but also the longer term implications.”
Perth and Kinross Council leader Mr Lyle said: “We know how difficult the pandemic and cost-of-living pressures are making it for many households and so councillors agreed to restrict the council tax rise to 2.5%, rather than 4.25%.
“We anticipate this will be one of the lowest rises in the country. This will allow us to continue supporting families and communities and promote the economic wellbeing of Perth and Kinross.”
Broke Not Broken, which runs a foodbank and advice service, called the tax rise a “devastating blow”, while Perth Citizens Advice Bureau urged anyone struggling to get in touch.