Blab News
East Riding Council tackles cost-of-living crisis amid new leadership and business-rate changes
The East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which governs the county’s rural heartlands and the city of Kingston upon Hull, has rolled out a bundle of measures aimed at easing the cost‑of‑living squeeze while shoring up its own finances.
On 15 June 2026, the council hosted a “Help for Household” gathering at County Hall in Beverley. Attendees were offered free tea and coffee and directed to a range of services designed to lift the financial burden on families. The event is part of a broader campaign the council says will bring together support networks, financial advice and practical assistance.
The initiative arrives just weeks after a shift in the council’s leadership. Councillor Handley, elected to the executive in March 2026, told reporters at a press briefing that the administration would “redouble efforts to help people through the cost‑of‑living crisis” and focus on attracting new investment to the East Riding. Handley’s remarks were made as the council also outlined plans to stimulate local economic activity.
At the same time, the council announced that business rates will rise from April 2026. The change, part of a national review of non‑domestic rates, will be collected on the same schedule as before. The finance department said the adjustment will help offset a funding shortfall caused by what it calls the government’s “unfair funding formula” that penalises rural and coastal areas.
In a separate development, the council secured a £7.8 million grant from Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency. The money will fund two new sheltered housing schemes, Hobson and Porter, in the East Riding. The grant was announced by the housing department in a statement on 12 June 2026.
The council is also preparing for a potential devolution deal. A spokesperson said the council leader expects to receive a call about the package within the next week. The proposal would give the East Riding greater control over its finances and services, but the council has not yet confirmed the details.
Other initiatives include a new park‑and‑ride plan that would create a bus depot for East Yorkshire Buses, enabling the operator to improve efficiency and introduce electric buses. The plan was submitted to the council in early May 2026 and is currently under review.
The council’s actions come against a backdrop of scrutiny over its finances. An opposition leader from the Liberal Democrat group criticised the handling of the 2026/27 budget, arguing that the council is being asked to raise taxes while receiving less funding from the central government.
Residents will need to keep an eye on the upcoming business‑rate changes and the new housing schemes. The council has pledged to keep the public informed through its website and local media outlets.
The next executive meeting, scheduled for 22 June 2026, will likely discuss the new business‑rate policy and the devolution proposal.
The council’s website offers further details on the Help for Household event, the business‑rate schedule and the sheltered housing schemes. Residents are encouraged to visit the online portal or contact the council’s customer‑service line for more information.
These measures reflect a wider trend in local government to balance fiscal responsibility with support for residents facing economic hardship. The outcome of the devolution negotiations and the implementation of the new business‑rate policy will shape the East Riding’s financial landscape for the coming years.
On 15 June 2026, the council hosted a “Help for Household” gathering at County Hall in Beverley. Attendees were offered free tea and coffee and directed to a range of services designed to lift the financial burden on families. The event is part of a broader campaign the council says will bring together support networks, financial advice and practical assistance.
The initiative arrives just weeks after a shift in the council’s leadership. Councillor Handley, elected to the executive in March 2026, told reporters at a press briefing that the administration would “redouble efforts to help people through the cost‑of‑living crisis” and focus on attracting new investment to the East Riding. Handley’s remarks were made as the council also outlined plans to stimulate local economic activity.
At the same time, the council announced that business rates will rise from April 2026. The change, part of a national review of non‑domestic rates, will be collected on the same schedule as before. The finance department said the adjustment will help offset a funding shortfall caused by what it calls the government’s “unfair funding formula” that penalises rural and coastal areas.
In a separate development, the council secured a £7.8 million grant from Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency. The money will fund two new sheltered housing schemes, Hobson and Porter, in the East Riding. The grant was announced by the housing department in a statement on 12 June 2026.
The council is also preparing for a potential devolution deal. A spokesperson said the council leader expects to receive a call about the package within the next week. The proposal would give the East Riding greater control over its finances and services, but the council has not yet confirmed the details.
Other initiatives include a new park‑and‑ride plan that would create a bus depot for East Yorkshire Buses, enabling the operator to improve efficiency and introduce electric buses. The plan was submitted to the council in early May 2026 and is currently under review.
The council’s actions come against a backdrop of scrutiny over its finances. An opposition leader from the Liberal Democrat group criticised the handling of the 2026/27 budget, arguing that the council is being asked to raise taxes while receiving less funding from the central government.
Residents will need to keep an eye on the upcoming business‑rate changes and the new housing schemes. The council has pledged to keep the public informed through its website and local media outlets.
The next executive meeting, scheduled for 22 June 2026, will likely discuss the new business‑rate policy and the devolution proposal.
The council’s website offers further details on the Help for Household event, the business‑rate schedule and the sheltered housing schemes. Residents are encouraged to visit the online portal or contact the council’s customer‑service line for more information.
These measures reflect a wider trend in local government to balance fiscal responsibility with support for residents facing economic hardship. The outcome of the devolution negotiations and the implementation of the new business‑rate policy will shape the East Riding’s financial landscape for the coming years.
