Drivers to be hit with higher parking fines across Inverclyde
The charge is going up for the first time in more than 20 years
Parking fines in Inverclyde are being hiked by a third in the first increase in more than 20 years.
From next month the penalty for drivers who receive a ticket will go up from £60 to £80.
However, the charge will be halved to £40 if the individual pays within 14 days of the date of notice.
The change – described as a “moderate” increase by the local authority – will take effect from Monday, June 5.
Cost of living crisis concerns
Transport Scotland carried out a public consultation on the topic in September, but did not feel it was an “appropriate time” to hike the levels because of the cost-of-living crisis.
However, the Scottish Government agency has since decided to revise the level maximum charges can be changed to after calls from local authorities.
While the option was there to make the charge £100, the council has instead opted for £80.
A statement said: “In recognition of the cost-of-living crisis Inverclyde Council have taken the decision to moderately increase the charge from the current £60 to £80 which is the lower rate charge approved by the Scottish Government.
“The increased charge of £80 will come into effect from Monday, June 5, 2023.
“The fixed penalty charge will be reduced from £80 to £40 for payment received within 14 days of the date of this notice.”
How prices are going up
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.