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Unpaid council tax arrears soar to record £7.4billion as cost of living spirals out of control under Labour

Unpaid council tax arrears soar to record £7.4billion as cost of living spirals out of control under Labour

Unpaid council tax bill arrears have soared to a record £7.4billion as families struggling with the cost of living are hit with hikes of up to nine per cent.

Council tax arrears have risen a staggering £782million in the last year, according to figures revealed by the Centre for Social Justice.

The increase will put pressure on the Chancellor, John Healey, to find ways of stemming the spiralling cost of living when he introduces his maiden budget on October 28.

Households are now at risk of another spike in their bills after council tax band D homes saw an increase of £111, up to £2,392 in April alone.

Significantly larger rises were imposed by local authorities such as Trafford who increased charges by 7.49 per cent and Worcestershire County Council who hiked their council tax by 8.98 per cent.

Shadow housing minister Gareth Bacon said: 'Council tax is spiralling out of control under Labour, with families facing ever-rising bills. 

'It is little wonder that more and more people are struggling to pay. Hardworking people are dealing with rising prices, rising energy bills and rising costs at the pump, yet all Labour can offer is tax, tax, tax. 

'They are hiking up ordinary people's council tax and adding extra costs on top through their new family homes tax.'

Andy Burnham and John Healey pictured together on day two of the Labour Party Conference

Meanwhile household gas and electricity bills have also risen in the UK by four per cent this month adding an additional £60 in costs.

They are predicted to rise yet again to 16 per cent, which would add another £276 in household costs by January 2027. 

It comes after Mr Healey is expected to unveil plans for an extra £70billion borrowing binge to pay for surging debt interest and welfare costs, according to City experts.

They warned the Chancellor is set to duck big spending decisions on defence, benefits and social care in his maiden budget on Wednesday but hit banks and gambling firms with higher taxes instead.

He has also vowed to give households and firms 'breathing space' by cutting VAT on electricity bills and freezing fuel duty.

But to balance the books, Mr Healey will have to borrow tens of billions more than the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the official forecaster, pencilled in just seven months ago.

As part of his Budget announcement, Mr Healey is expected to commit hundreds of millions of pounds in next week's Budget to AI as the Government plans to develop a 'distinctively British approach' to the powerful technology.

His £600million package will aim to guard against the risks of AI while aiming to harness its power for economic advantage across the UK.

He said AI would 'transform daily life' and 'every firm, community, hospital, school and every aspect of our economy' could benefit from the technology.

Andy Burnham is also set to receive £7million of taxpayer cash into looking at how the Olympic Games could be brought to the north of England.

The hefty sum will be spent on a full feasibility study to look at winning the Games for the north in the 2040s.

It will consider venues and transport links, which cities could share the games, how communities could benefit, how much it will all cost and whether any bid stands a chance.

The Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government has been approached for comment. 

Do YOU have a story? Email Joshua.Haining@dailymail.co.uk

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Questions are continuing to mount over Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson's secret split after the high-profile pair appeared to continue flaunting their relationship – months after supposedly calling it a day.

A bombshell TMZ report on Friday night revealed the age-gap romance came to an end 'late last year,' with the pair somehow managing to keep their break-up a secret for almost a year.

Late on Friday night, a separate report from USA Today claimed that UNC staffers had been 'caught off-guard' by news of Belichick and Hudson's split, with two anonymous employees admitting they were 'not aware' of the relationship breaking down. 

Hudson has still been a mainstay at North Carolina football games this season, appearing by Belichick's side through thick and thin, both in Chapel Hill and on the road – even as recently as this month.

Reports claim they are still 'close friends' and 'remain committed to their business partnerships,' with Hudson listed as a director for multiple companies. That is despite the outlet reporting that she has since moved on and has dated multiple men this year.

So why, then, is there a wealth of loved-up photos taken in 2026, given their supposed romantic split back in the latter stages of 2025?

Jordon Hudson referred to 'Bill the WAG' in April, long after they had apparently broken up

As recently as this month, the cheerleader has been a constant presence at Belichick's side

The 'former' couple held hands at the Kentucky Derby in May, after their split back in 2025 

At high-profile sporting events and in private moments, the Daily Mail has dug out a series of snaps that show all might not be exactly as it seems between the legendary football coach, 74, and the ex-girlfriend 49 years his junior.  

Perhaps the most confusing display of public affection came back in May at the Kentucky Derby, supposedly up to six months after they had called time on their romance.

After flying Hudson out on a private jet to the historic horse racing event at Churchill Downs, a suited-and-booted Belichick held her by the hand as they walked on the course.

Doubling down, Hudson later posted two photos to her social media, alongside the caption: 'Not the first time we've trudged through the mud together,' complete with a pink love heart. 

In the photos, the pair are beaming, with Belichick's shirt and tie closely matching Hudson's dress.

Another social media post from a month earlier raises yet more eyebrows, after Belichick took time out from his busy football schedule to support Hudson's own sporting endeavor.

Playing the role of doting boyfriend, Belichick cheered Hudson on at her US Worlds Trials, in which she and her 'Cheer Extreme Code Black' team were crowned champion.

Cameras captured their arms intertwined as they watched basketball together in February

The former couple reportedly remain friends and are committed to their business relationship

A cozy red carpet display at Churchill Downs in May came at least five months after their split

In the aftermath, Hudson posted a selfie of the pair, labeling Belichick 'Bill the WAG' while he wore a t-shirt carrying the name of her cheer squad. The term WAG – short for 'wife and girlfriend' – seemingly hinted that their romance was going strong.

Shortly before that April adventure, Belichick and Hudson had spent time in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, attending a basketball game one night on campus.

While nothing was posted on social media by either of them, photographers captured the pair with their arms intertwined as they sat in the bleachers to watch the action.

This, it should be noted, occurred two months into 2026 and long after they had apparently ended their high-profile relationship.

In recent months, Hudson's Instagram account has been dormant, with no new posts in 25 weeks and the most recent photo dump being the loved-up Kentucky Derby appearance.

Despite no images from the source, Hudson has still been closely involved in Belichick's life, appearing in photos taken at at least three of UNC's games just this month.

A report late on Friday claimed UNC staffers had no idea the pair had split before TMZ's reveal

Fans have taken to calling Hudson the 'First Lady of UNC Football' due to her regular presence

Last time out, the Tar Heels lost in overtime to Syracuse, and Hudson was seen in multiple fan photos taking selfies on the sideline in a stylish pink suit.

In one post, she was labeled the 'First Lady of UNC Football' as she grinned for snaps with young supporters. 

Seven days earlier, she traveled to Durham, North Carolina with the team for the rivalry game against Duke, which ended with a huge win for Belichick and his players.

At the end of the game, Hudson appeared to cozy up to Belichick as they laughed and walked down the tunnel together.

On October 3, meanwhile, she was again on the sideline again as UNC suffered a loss to No 5 ranked Notre Dame, also at Chapel Hill. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the pair for comment. 

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