it's hit us hard with a constant rise in utility bills, especially gas and electricity. everything isjust a constant worry at the moment. and sort of became reliant on credit cards to be able to survive. ryan lives in norten in north yorkshire, and his council tax could be going up next year. another growing bill on the pile. it's always on my mind. i never, ever stop thinking about paying things off and it's hit me very hard. the council here, like many, is facing rising costs and demand for services. there's particular pressure on care for children and adults. the government is already putting up national insurance to help pay for social care. but initially, most of that will go to the nhs. so some councils say they're still facing funding shortfalls. if you look at the ten—year record of this council, i think we have been moderate in our increases. but there comes a point where, in actualfact, those people who are on lower incomes are probably the people