When Brian and Susan (not their real names) couldn't afford to keep their heating on despite working all their lives, a local winter fuel grant transformed their retirement. Their story shows why Suffolk Community Foundation's latest appeal is so vital.
The big picture: Suffolk Community Foundation has launched its annual Surviving Winter appeal as an estimated 90% of older people in the county face losing their winter fuel payments due to government policy changes.
Why it matters: The campaign is entering its 14th year at a critical time:
Many elderly residents are choosing between heating and eating.
The Foundation can no longer raise funds by asking people to donate unwanted winter fuel payments.
The appeal has previously provided a lifeline for thousands of vulnerable people.
Amanda Bloomfield, Jonathan Mason-Gordon, Yvonne Mason, Wendy Quantrill, Anna Hughes, Lady Clare, Countess of Euston, Hannah Bloom and Tim PassmoreCherry BeesleySuffolk Community Foundation
The human impact: Brian and Susan's story shows how the programme helps:
Their health was deteriorating as they couldn't afford heating despite working full-time throughout their lives.
After seeing a Facebook advert, they reached out to Gatehouse for support.
The charity secured them a better electricity deal and provided a one-off payment from the Surviving Winter fund.
They are now financially stable and able to enjoy retirement.
How to help: The Foundation is asking for donations:
£175 could help someone pay for gas or electricity
£350 could provide 500 litres of heating oil
Donations can be made by phone (01473 602602) or at any Suffolk Building Society branch
Who can apply: Support is available for Suffolk residents who:
Are aged 66 and above
Do not receive pension credit
Have an income of no more than £20,000 (single) or £24,000 (double)
Have savings of no more than £5,000
The bottom line: "Many older people are extremely anxious about the high cost of energy and are having to make difficult choices between heating and eating every single day," says Anna Hughes, Interim Chief Executive at Suffolk Community Foundation. "But Surviving Winter can help – which is why we are appealing to anyone who feels able to donate to consider doing so."
New government figures reveal that Ipswich Borough Council's tax rate is a staggering 89.7% higher than the national average, making it the highest-taxing district council in the entire country.
The big picture
Ipswich Borough Council now charges £419.58 for a Band D property – the highest rate of any district council in England and a whopping £198.37 above the national average of £221.21.
While this figure represents only the Ipswich Borough Council portion of the total council tax bill, it's still the highest in the country by a significant margin – £55.13 (15.1%) higher than Preston, the second-highest charging district.
By the numbers:
Ipswich's annual increase of £12.15 is also the highest in England, double the average increase of £6.07
The Band D rate is £299.12 (248.3%) higher than Breckland, the lowest-taxing district at just £120.46
Even among high-taxing authorities, Ipswich stands out significantly higher than others like Preston (£364.45), Oxford (£356.72), and Burnley (£344.58)
Norwich is the 11th most expensive council, but still £113.47 (27%) cheaper than Ipswich
Band D average council tax by district, excluding parish precepts
The council's defense
Councillor Martin Cook, Portfolio Holder for Resources at Ipswich Borough Council, "acknowledges the concerns highlighted in the recently published Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government figures," but argues that focusing solely on the Band D rate can be "dangerously misleading."
"In Ipswich, 87% of properties are in bands A-C and pay less than the notional band D rate," said Cook.
Our counterargument
However, this defense overlooks a key fact: all council tax bands are set proportionally to the Band D rate. A Band A property pays 6/9 of the Band D rate (£279.72 in Ipswich), Band B pays 7/9 (£326.34), and Band C pays 8/9 (£372.96).
This means that even though most Ipswich properties are in lower bands, these households still face higher bills than equivalent properties in other districts where the Band D rate is lower, and that Ipswich Borough Council objectively has the highest council tax of all 164 district councils in the country.
Parish precept context: The council also points to districts that appear to have lower rates because they levy parish precepts separately.
However, these parishes typically provide some services that would otherwise be delivered by the district council, making the overall cost proportionate to the services delivered.
It should also be noted that even if you include parish precepts, Ipswich remains the third-highest in the country, cheaper than only Pendle and Bolsover.
Oliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
Value for money
Taxpayers will rightfully ask if the highest district council tax rates in the country translate into the best district council service.
For many, the answer would be a firm "No."
Still, the council says it is "proud to deliver a comprehensive range of high-quality, non-statutory services that represent good value for money for our residents," including:
Parks and open spaces
Cultural and leisure facilities
Housing services and homelessness prevention work
An annual entertainment package for families
Support for major community events, such as the recent ITFC promotion celebrations
They also point to "Regeneration projects, funded in part through the Town Deal, to revitalise the local economy and improve infrastructure."
However, the Town Deal was funded by central government, and the council is currently well over its statutory 20-working-day period to respond to several Freedom of Information requests from this publication regarding how that money has (or hasn't) been spent.
Taxpayers will also point to the recent decision to reduce some services, including charging for brown bin collections.
Ipswich Borough Council is introducing a £50 charge for brown bin collections in April, making it the last Suffolk council to do so.
News
56 days ago
What they're saying
Dr George Dibb from the Institute for Public Policy Research called council tax "one of the least fair and worst designed taxes," adding that "multimillion pound mansions in Kensington pay the same taxes as a normal semi in Stockport."
He suggested: "A proportional property tax would lower costs for many households, reduce regional discrepancies, and still ensure councils have the funding they need."
The bottom line
While Ipswich Borough Council says that it has introduced a 100% Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme to help vulnerable residents, the fact remains that households across all property bands in Ipswich are paying the highest district council tax rates in England, and that gap widened further in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
What do you think? All thoughts to editor@ipswich.co.uk.
What's next?
We have thirteen outstanding Freedom of Information requests for Ipswich Borough Council past the legal 20-working-day response timeframe. Subscribe to our free daily newsletter below, and you'll be the first to know when the council complies. Together, we can improve transparency and accountability in the public sector.
