The costs of fuel, energy bills and everyday services such as transport and food continues to soar as the cost of living crisis tightens its grip.

There are concerns from politicians and charities that increasing prices, without increasing wages, will plunge millions of struggling people into poverty.

In Oxford specifically, alongside fuel, energy and food price increases, there are a number of rising costs people will have to pay, such as increasing council tax, ZEZ charges, bus fares and car parking prices.

READ MORE: Oxford councillor raises concerns over county council listening on cycling safety

This is where prices are increasing:

Council tax

Council tax is an annual fee you pay to your local council, the cost is set by your council and goes towards funding local services in the area.

In Oxford, the council tax you pay is split between various authorities. These include Oxford City Council (14.9 per cent or £332.54), Oxfordshire County Council (74.2 per cent or £1651.61) and the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (10.8 per cent or £241.28).

Oxford City's basic amount of council tax, inclusive of parish precepts, is £332.54 for 2022-23.

Excluding parish precepts, the basic amount of council tax is £326.54 for 2022-23.

Therefore, if you live in an average band D home in Oxford, £326.54 of your total Council Tax bill for this year helps pay for Oxford City Council services.

This works out at £6.26 per week.

This is a 1.99 per cent increase on the 2021-22 figure of £320.17 which is an annual increase of £6.37 or approximately 12p per week.

Oxford City Council's overall Band D council tax (including Parishes) has increased by 1.93 per cent from £326.25 in 2021-22 to £332.54 in 2022-23.

Oxford City Council's overall Band D council tax (net of Parishes) has increased by 1.99 per cent from £320.17 in 2021-22 to £326.54 in in 2022-23. 

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley has increased their 2021-22 Band D council tax by £10 per year  to £241.28. This is equivalent to a 4.3 per cent increase.

Bus fares

In February, fares on many Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Stagecoach and Arriva services increased.

This is the first time Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel have increased prices for more than two years and is due to an increase in operating costs because of the pandemic and inflation.

On average the new fares add 43p to weekly travel for Smartzone ticket users.

The changes include a 50p increase for an adult 1-week pass, a £2 increase for 4-week pass, a £6 increase for a 13-week pass and a £1 increase for a 12 trip or 5-day pass.

An annual season ticket increased by £22.50.

An U18 1-week pass increased by 25p, £1.50 for a 4-week, £4.50 for a 13-week pass and £22.50 for an annual pass.

Oxford Bus Company also announced it would introduce a new daily cap of £4.00 per day for customers using its "Freeflow" tap-on, tap-off contactless payment system within Oxford CityZone.

READ MORE about the bus fares here>>>

ZEZ charges

Oxford’s zero emissions zone means most vehicles will have to pay a charge to enter the city.

The charges apply from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week, all year round.

The daily charge covers the entire day, so a vehicle can enter and be used within the area on multiple occasions each day.

Charges do not apply to vehicles that are parked within the zone and do not move.

Car parking

Car parking charges in the city are set to go up in April.

It will see car parking prices at Gloucester Green increase from £6.50 for two hours, to £7.80. 

Oxpens car park will increase from £4 for two hours to £4.50. 

While, two hours at Worcester Street car park will increase from £6 to £6.50. 

READ MORE about this here>>>

-

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.