The majority of households in England are facing fresh cost of living misery with nearly £100 added to annual council tax bills from today.
Analysis by The Mirror of town, city and council hall budgets found that three quarters (76%) were planning to impose the maximum 5% hike to bills on April 1.
This means the average council tax bill will exceed £2,000 for the first time, amounting to a £99 hike to annual bills.