Council Tax

Jodie Marlow, who moved to Murcia in Spain four years ago along with her partner and their two children, has shared how much she pays for her household bills every month

As autumn arrives and the weather becomes colder, more Brits will start fretting about the colder weather and how it will affect their energy bills.

It’s typical for energy bills to rise as we consume more gas and electricity to heat our homes. This has led some people to consider relocating to escape the high costs. Currently, there are already 403,925 UK nationals registered as residents in Spain, according to Statista. While many of them relocated there to chase the sun, others may have moved to enjoy lower living costs. This was the case for one mum, Jodie Marlow, who relocated to Murcia in Spain four years ago with her partner and their two children.

While the sunshine and new lifestyle have been a lovely for them all, Jodie also revealed that they no longer stress over their energy bills. In a revealing TikTok video, Jodie shared how much she pays for her household bills each month, as she said it’s cheaper than the UK.

Firstly, the family doesn’t have to worry about rent or mortgage payments as they own their property outright. Even better, houses on their street have doubled in value since they bought their home a few years ago.

Moving on to electricity, Jodie said switching to a cheaper provider has been transformative. The previous month, they’d paid just €37 (£32).

But since they’d recently begun running their air conditioning through the night, the bill had climbed to €55 (£48), which she insisted was ‘nothing’ given her two lads had kept their air con running every single night whilst they slept.

Regarding water, the household spends roughly €99 (£86.41) in three month instalments. This works out at €33 (£28.80) per month.

“Our house actually runs off of a gas bottle,” Jodie explained. “I thought it was really weird at first, but actually it’s pretty normal in Spain. And a gas bottle costs around €16 (£13.97).”

These bottles last ages, particularly during warmer weather as they’re not having as many hot showers. Then, rather than using the gas hob, Jodie said she often cooks on the barbecue that has a hob. She also uses an air fryer, which saves her gas too.

Jodie added: “So that gas bottle honestly could last us three months.”

For the equivalent of council tax, Jodie puts aside €250 (218.24) per year, which is around €21 (£18.33) a month. She continued: “So again, not a lot. I know some people who pay that literally a month what I pay a year.”

Wi-Fi costs €24.99 (£21.81) per month, whilst sim cards are €12.99 (£11.34). Then for home insurance, they are covered for €250 (£218.24) per year. This works out as approximately €22 (£19.21) per month.

People were stunned to discover how much cheaper things were in Spain and took to the comments section to share their thoughts.

One viewer was gobsmacked by the electricity bill, commenting: “60 Euros a month! We spent £40 per week for a 4 bed house in England.”

However, other Brits living in Spain chimed in to reveal their bills were even steeper than what Jodie had shared.

Another viewer shared : “I live in Malaga, my electric is around €180 a month, water for the last three months was €1260 and we use gas bottles €200 for three, so not cheaper than the UK.”

In response, Jodie said: “I guess depends where in the uk the same as where in Spain as Malaga is more than where I live. It’s all relative.”

It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK and has become a hotspot for tourists in recent years – but locals say the town is now unbearable.

Whitby, the charming seaside town on the North Yorkshire coast, has become one of the UK’s top tourist hotspots in recent years.

With its breathtaking views and links to literary greats like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, it’s no surprise that tourists are drawn to its quaint cobbled streets.

However, this boom in tourism is putting the very essence of the community at risk. A study by HeyDiscount placed Whitby among the UK’s most congested tourist locations.

In a town with a mere 12,500 inhabitants, there are now over 1,800 holiday rentals, a staggering figure that underscores the profound effect tourism has had on housing availability and affordability, reports the Express.

“You can’t walk down the street without bumping into someone with a camera or a bag of fish and chips,” says Alan Cuthbert, a lifelong Whitby resident and fisherman. “For us locals, it’s a nightmare. Traffic’s worse, parking’s a joke, and the peace we used to have is long gone.”

The influx of tourists and second-home buyers has pushed property prices to such an extent that many locals can no longer afford to live in their own town.

According to Rightmove data, the average property price in Whitby now stands at £266,917, significantly above the regional average. This surge has left many residents in a precarious situation.

Mr Cuthbert observed: “Houses that used to be for families like mine are now being snatched up as holiday lets or second homes. Prices have gone through the roof. I’ve got friends who’ve had to move out of Whitby altogether because they can’t afford to live here anymore.”

The effect of second homes isn’t merely about housing; it’s about community.

Former Mayor Linda Wild told MailOnline: “Where I live, 90 percent of the neighbouring houses are holiday lets or second homes. Every Friday night, I can hear the rattle of suitcase wheels on the pavement.”

This has transformed Whitby into a town where most properties remain vacant for large portions of the year, threatening its character as a tight-knit community.

Despite these difficulties, tourism undoubtedly delivers advantages to local enterprises.

Sarah Bennett, a café proprietor in the town centre, admits that tourism has proved vital for her venture. She said: “My café gets more visitors, which helps keep the business going year-round, not just in the summer.”

Nevertheless, she also acknowledges the drawbacks, especially the burden on local services. She added: “Tourism has definitely put pressure on local amenities. It can be harder to get a doctor’s appointment or find a spot in local schools. The challenge is making sure that the benefits of this investment reach everyone, not just the tourists.”

This split in viewpoints underscores a wider problem in Whitby and comparable tourist destinations. Whilst some locals profit from the tourist boom, others are left dealing with the fallout.

Neil Swannick, a Labour councillor for Whitby Streonshalh ward, sums up this split, saying last year: “there are certainly people that have done well out of tourism in Whitby, but that benefit hasn’t been evenly spread across the residents of the town.”

Tackling the mounting crisis, Whitby locals voted in 2022 to ensure all new-build properties in the town become full-time primary residences, a strategy designed to halt the surge of second homes.

Whilst this ballot was mainly symbolic, it highlights the rising frustration amongst residents.

There’s also a wider campaign for more eco-friendly tourism approaches and affordable housing schemes to guarantee the town stays habitable for its inhabitants. North Yorkshire Council chose to double the council tax for second home proprietors in the area.

Discussing the need to find a balance, Ms Bennett said: “We should welcome tourists, but not at the expense of those who live here. Finding that balance is key to Whitby’s future.”

FEARS are growing that Rachel Reeves could slap a new tax on people’s homes to replace stamp duty and council tax.

The Chancellor is studying plans for a levy on houses worth over £500,000, according to The Guardian.

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The paper said the Treasury is looking at a “proportional property tax” which would be paid when owners sell their homes.

It claimed the shake-up could also pave the way for a new local levy to replace council tax, which is still based on 1990s property values.

But Treasury officials last night insisted that while tax reform is being explored, the details – including any threshold or rate – have not been decided.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “The best way to strengthen public finances is by growing the economy – which is our focus.

“Changes to tax and spend policy are not the only ways of doing this, as seen with our planning reforms, which are expected to grow the economy by £6.8bn and cut borrowing by £3.4bn.

“We are committed to keeping taxes for working people as low as possible, which is why at last Autumn’s Budget, we protected working people’s payslips and kept our promise not to raise the basic, higher or additional rates of Income Tax, employee National Insurance, or VAT.”

The Sun reported yesterday that homeowners would be forced to hand over £82,000 to the taxman thanks to Reeves’ inheritance tax raid.

Inheritance tax is charged on all assets above the £325,000 threshold, which is called the nil-rate band.

Anything above this threshold is charged at 40%, but your tax-free allowance rises by £175,000 if you leave your home to a direct descendant, such as a son, daughter or grandchild.

Currently, pension pots are exempt from inheritance tax – but this will all change from April 2027, when they will suddenly be subject to the 40% levy, following a tax grab announced in last year’s October Budget.

The change is expected to increase the number of estates paying death duties from 4% to 9.7%, dragging thousands of people into the tax net.

New analysis by Quilter shows that grieving families could face a nasty bill sting following the changes.

Salcombe in Devon has been deserted by tourists after it was revealed to be the UK’s most expensive seaside town – and a new £10 parking charge has been implemented

A new £10 parking charge is putting off day-trippers from visiting Salcombe, recently branded the UK’s most expensive coastal town.

Lloyds revealed in May 2024 that the average house price in the Devon hotspot has tumbled by 22% to £970,657, compared to over £1.2million in 2022. However, Rightmove’s August rankings still positioned Sandbanks and Canford Cliffs in Dorset at the summit of the list for the most costly seaside towns, with average asking prices of £1.5million and £1.2million respectively.

Salcombe, known for its high concentration of second homes – making up about 60% of its housing stock – is already hitting these properties with double council tax. It comes after reports of a small fishing village with some of UK’s best seafood but hardly any tourists.

READ MORE: World’s ‘prettiest town’ dubbed ‘Little Venice’ with stunning canals and winding streetsREAD MORE: ‘Fish and chip capital’ that’s perfect for tourists named top place to visit

The recent launch of a £10 daily parking fee for visitors has triggered outrage, whilst South Hams District Council provides locals an annual permit for £5, enabling them to park for £8 per day, reports Devon Live.

Local business owners are worried about the effect on trade. Beck Gordon, owner of a cafe and fishmonger’s, said: “It’s quieter generally. The parking’s definitely an issue.”

She noticed a drop in visits from nearby residents, saying: “In terms of day-trippers, if you talk about more local people, they definitely don’t come any more.”

Gordon also emphasised the gap in parking costs, pointing out it’s cheaper to get a weekly parking ticket for £25 or £50 than paying the car park fees, which would total £70. She branded the situation “absolutely ridiculous”.

A local cafe manager revealed that she spends a whopping £120 of her earnings solely on parking. Councillor Julian Brazil, who is in charge of community services at the local council, commented: “We’d like to do everything to help the tourism trade and we have kept our car parking charges as competitive as possible.

“Residents of the South Hams can benefit from our discounted resident parking scheme.” He also highlighted the benefits for Salcombe’s workforce, stating: “Many workers in Salcombe have benefited from our competitive parking permits, which offer significantly lower long-term parking compared to our pay-on-the-day rates.”

Councillor Brazil was frank about the financial decisions, asserting: “Be under no illusion, we don’t want to increase prices, but this is the best choice for us under the circumstances we find ourselves in.”

He further clarified the reasoning behind the pricing strategy: “Our prices have been frozen for four years, and now everyone who benefits from our public services are being asked to contribute, and that includes our visitors.”

Property experts at Zoopla have pinpointed Devon’s South Hams district as a prime location. The area, which includes the historic town of Dartmouth and nearby Kingsbridge, Ivybridge, Salcombe, and Totnes, is deemed “desirable”.

They expanded on the available housing options, stating: “Dartmouth and its surrounding town and villages offer a range of properties from terraces, cottages and merchants’ houses, to new-builds and luxury sea-view flats, town houses and boathouses.”

LONDONERS have seen a 75 per cent rise in the “Sadiq Khan stealth tax” during the mayor’s time in office, we can reveal.

The levy — officially known as the mayoral precept — is added to council tax bills in all 32 city boroughs and has risen steadily since the Labour politician’s 2016 election.

For a Band D home, it has jumped from £280.02 in 2017 to £490.38 today.

In comparison, Liverpool asks £24, Cambridge £36 and Greater Manchester £128.95.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker charges nothing.

Much of this year’s London fee — £319.13 — goes to the Met Police to pay for cops.

Another £71.72 is for the London Fire Brigade and £77.09 for transport services.

The Greater London Authority, which includes Mr Khan’s office, takes the remaining £22.44.

The Sun told last week that he is on course to rake in £14million, most of it from motorists failing to pay the £12.50 daily ultra low emission zone (Ulez) charge.

City Hall Conservative Group leader Susan Hall said: “Sadiq Khan has taxed the life out of our city. Where has it all gone? Crime is out of control, traffic is at a standstill, nightlife is dead, house building’s virtually stopped and the green belt is at risk.

“To paraphrase the president of the USA, he’s a terrible mayor.”

A spokesman for the mayor said a record £1.16billion had been invested in policing this year, providing 935 neighbourhood cops.

He added: “Keeping Londoners safe is Sadiq’s top priority.”

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A Blue Badge holder travelling either as a driver or a passenger can park for free in disabled parking bays and may also be exempt from other parking restrictions

If you’re living with a physical disability, health condition that affects your ability to walk safely, or a hidden illness such as dementia, autism or Parkinson’s, you might be eligible for a Blue Badge. This badge allows you to park closer to your destination, whether you’re the driver or a passenger.

It also grants free parking in disabled bays and may exempt you from other parking restrictions. However, many of the 2.6 million Blue Badge holders – including 235,700 in Scotland – might not know that numerous countries worldwide have reciprocal parking arrangements with the UK.

READ MORE: Visitors to popular summer destination must pay new travel fee

These arrangements allow disabled individuals to travel between countries without needing to fill out extensive paperwork for their parking card or permit to be recognised.

These concessions typically include access to parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities, extended parking durations, or exemptions from parking fees.

According to guidance on GOV.UK, you can use your UK Blue Badge when travelling in some EU countries, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, reports the Daily Record.

This guidance also provides a list of countries with links to pages that contain:

• information about parking for disabled people in the country
• disabled parking notices that you can print off and display with your Blue Badge

You do not have to display a local parking notice in another country, but it may help. You should note that:

• local parking rules may apply in different parts of a country
• some countries may have changed their rules since the pages we link to were published

UK Blue Badges abroad

A full list of countries can be found on GOV.UK here, you can use the Blue Badge in:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Croatia
• Cypress
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France – May not recognise non-EU issued parking cards
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy – Non-EU parking cards accepted in some regions only
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania – Accepts non-EU parking cards
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) – UK Blue Badge recognition across Spain decided by local administrations
• Sweden
• Switzerland

How to get a Blue Badge

Applications for a Blue Badge can be submitted online at GOV.UK though the guidance states that individuals with mental health conditions must contact their local council directly.

It explains: “If you have a mental condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic, you cannot apply online. You should phone your local council’s Blue Badge team for a paper application form.”

The guidance further states that those who don’t automatically meet the criteria for the Blue Badge scheme may require a mobility assessment and consultation with a healthcare professional.

It’s also important to note that there isn’t a fixed processing timeframe for new applications or Blue Badge renewals, though it typically takes approximately 12 weeks.

Your local council handles Blue Badge applications and determines the cost – they can also provide advice on expected processing times.

Other people who may qualify for a Blue Badge

If you are not automatically eligible, you may be able to get a Blue Badge in certain circumstances, if you:.

• Have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you cannot walk at all.
• Have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you’re virtually unable to walk
• If you regularly drive and cannot use parking meters due to a severe disability in both arms, or if you’re responsible for a child under 3-years-old who needs to be kept close to a vehicle for medical treatment, or uses bulky medical equipment that can’t be carried around, or if you have a mental health condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic when making journeys, then you may qualify for a Blue Badge.

Where can I park with my Blue Badge?

Your Blue Badge allows you to park for free in certain restricted areas, including at on-street parking meters, in pay and display bays, in disabled parking spaces, and on single and double yellow lines if there are no loading restrictions.

What do I need to apply?

Applications are made online to your local council and you’ll need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders – you can take this picture yourself.

You will also need a photo or scan of your proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence) and proof of address such as a Council Tax bill or government letter – you can also choose to have your local council check the Electoral Register instead.

If you receive any benefits, you’ll need to provide proof. Additionally, you will need your National Insurance number and the details of your current Blue Badge if you’re reapplying.

Once you’ve applied, your local council will process your application and inform you of their decision. If your application is unsuccessful, your local council should explain why you didn’t qualify.

You can request them to reconsider their decision if you believe they overlooked some crucial information. Should your disability or health condition worsen, you can reapply.