Cost of living - latest news across Shropshire, Mid Wales and the UK | Shropshire Star

Local news you can trust

Shropshire Star

Close

Cost of living Archive

March 3, 2026

Supporting image for story: Rachel Reeves to insist she will stick with the plan at spring statement

Rachel Reeves to insist she will stick with the plan at spring statement

March 1, 2026

Supporting image for story: We visited a Shropshire pub which got a new lease of life and is now a prime location for a good meal

We visited a Shropshire pub which got a new lease of life and is now a prime location for a good meal

February 26, 2026

Supporting image for story: 4.9% Council Tax rise is confirmed as Powys council budget is narrowly voted through

4.9% Council Tax rise is confirmed as Powys council budget is narrowly voted through

Supporting image for story: A choice for members of region’s savings and loans co-operative

A choice for members of region’s savings and loans co-operative

Supporting image for story: Money Matters: Household energy bills set to fall by 6.7% from April 1

Money Matters: Household energy bills set to fall by 6.7% from April 1

February 22, 2026

Supporting image for story: Families set for ‘significant cut’ to energy bills from April - here's everything you need to know

Families set for ‘significant cut’ to energy bills from April - here's everything you need to know

Supporting image for story: 'I was a shopaholic with £15k of debt - but now I get my dopamine hit from saving'

'I was a shopaholic with £15k of debt - but now I get my dopamine hit from saving'

Supporting image for story: We visited a north Shropshire pub which offers a great meal and works to support local brewers and producers

We visited a north Shropshire pub which offers a great meal and works to support local brewers and producers

February 19, 2026

Supporting image for story: Powys MP Claims Win as Pumpwatch Scheme Finally Goes Live

Powys MP Claims Win as Pumpwatch Scheme Finally Goes Live

February 17, 2026

Supporting image for story: The business rate revaluation is a “hammer blow” to Mid Wales' businesses, a Powys MP has said

The business rate revaluation is a “hammer blow” to Mid Wales' businesses, a Powys MP has said

Supporting image for story: 'Our children should be taught basic DIY and money management skills so they don't get into financial difficulties like I did' says Telford councillor

'Our children should be taught basic DIY and money management skills so they don't get into financial difficulties like I did' says Telford councillor

Supporting image for story: Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils to receive more than £3 million each from Crisis Resilience Fund to help people in need

Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils to receive more than £3 million each from Crisis Resilience Fund to help people in need

February 15, 2026

Supporting image for story: We visited a Newport pub which offers a comfortable dining experience and has become a popular rest stop for dog walkers

We visited a Newport pub which offers a comfortable dining experience and has become a popular rest stop for dog walkers

Supporting image for story: Gender pay gap ‘will not close until 2056’ – TUC report

Gender pay gap ‘will not close until 2056’ – TUC report

February 14, 2026

Supporting image for story: Shifnal Town Council finally approves precept increase by 11 per cent - despite 'several concerns'

Shifnal Town Council finally approves precept increase by 11 per cent - despite 'several concerns'

February 13, 2026

Supporting image for story: Multi-millionaire Poundland founder joins TV's 'Rich House, Poor House' - swapping his Shropshire mansion for a semi-detached home in Stafford

Multi-millionaire Poundland founder joins TV's 'Rich House, Poor House' - swapping his Shropshire mansion for a semi-detached home in Stafford

Supporting image for story: Shropshire town's The Original Factory Shop holds closing down sale - but no date yet for when it will finally shut its doors

Shropshire town's The Original Factory Shop holds closing down sale - but no date yet for when it will finally shut its doors

February 12, 2026

Supporting image for story: Shrewsbury residents say they will accept a steep council tax rise - but demand visible results

Shrewsbury residents say they will accept a steep council tax rise - but demand visible results

Supporting image for story: Baby bank moves into new Shrewsbury headquarters to help meet growing demand

Baby bank moves into new Shrewsbury headquarters to help meet growing demand

February 11, 2026

Supporting image for story: Praise from Ed Miliband as community energy schemes in Walsall and Shrewsbury share £750,000 funding boost

Praise from Ed Miliband as community energy schemes in Walsall and Shrewsbury share £750,000 funding boost

Supporting image for story: Community schemes in Shrewsbury and Walsall show the future of energy provision in the UK - Ed Milband

Community schemes in Shrewsbury and Walsall show the future of energy provision in the UK - Ed Milband

Supporting image for story: DWP’s new bank account checking powers ‘must have risk of over-reach mitigated’

DWP’s new bank account checking powers ‘must have risk of over-reach mitigated’

February 8, 2026

Supporting image for story: Pirates take over Alton Towers for half term - with family short breaks from £64 per person

Pirates take over Alton Towers for half term - with family short breaks from £64 per person

Supporting image for story: We visited a Much Wenlock pub which is a cornerstone of the community and well loved by locals

We visited a Much Wenlock pub which is a cornerstone of the community and well loved by locals

February 7, 2026

Supporting image for story: The aftershave I'm treating my man to this Valentines - now 25% off

The aftershave I'm treating my man to this Valentines - now 25% off

Supporting image for story: Treasure trove of Dr Who collectables donated to Oswestry shop raising money for poorly kids

Treasure trove of Dr Who collectables donated to Oswestry shop raising money for poorly kids

February 5, 2026

Supporting image for story: Shrewsbury Labour councillors blast cost of living grant scheme

Shrewsbury Labour councillors blast cost of living grant scheme

Supporting image for story: Housing Plus Group becomes official access point for Stop Loan Sharks

Housing Plus Group becomes official access point for Stop Loan Sharks

Supporting image for story: Homeless charity The Shrewsbury Ark saved after hitting £250k fundraising target

Homeless charity The Shrewsbury Ark saved after hitting £250k fundraising target

Supporting image for story: Installations of solar panels, heat pumps and batteries hit highs in 2025

Installations of solar panels, heat pumps and batteries hit highs in 2025

February 4, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'I'm devastated the Government has pulled the plug on rural fund that saw £12 million invested in Shropshire': MP speaks out on decision to axe scheme

'I'm devastated the Government has pulled the plug on rural fund that saw £12 million invested in Shropshire': MP speaks out on decision to axe scheme

Supporting image for story: 'There will be books, games, jigsaws, household items, children's toys and DVDs - and everything is free': Market Drayton Swap shop returns

'There will be books, games, jigsaws, household items, children's toys and DVDs - and everything is free': Market Drayton Swap shop returns

February 3, 2026

Supporting image for story: ‘Beyond the pale’ 30 per cent increase in Kington Town Council’s share of council tax needed to take on public toilets

‘Beyond the pale’ 30 per cent increase in Kington Town Council’s share of council tax needed to take on public toilets

February 2, 2026

Supporting image for story: Knighton residents will have to pay 26p more per week for town council services this year, but £12,000 has been slashed from last year’s budget

Knighton residents will have to pay 26p more per week for town council services this year, but £12,000 has been slashed from last year’s budget

February 1, 2026

Supporting image for story: We visited a Wem pub which is run by a landlord who had his first pint there nearly 50 years ago

We visited a Wem pub which is run by a landlord who had his first pint there nearly 50 years ago

January 28, 2026

Supporting image for story: Tory asks Labour finance chief if Powys residents can afford another increase in Council Tax

Tory asks Labour finance chief if Powys residents can afford another increase in Council Tax

January 27, 2026

Supporting image for story: Calls for free pension health checks to avert ‘retirement under-savings crisis’

Calls for free pension health checks to avert ‘retirement under-savings crisis’

January 26, 2026

Supporting image for story: Rhayader residents will have to pay £1.54 extra this year for town council services

Rhayader residents will have to pay £1.54 extra this year for town council services

Supporting image for story: Major banks to be invited to create a banking hub at Knighton Civic Centre

Major banks to be invited to create a banking hub at Knighton Civic Centre

Supporting image for story: Powys police precept to rise by nearly 7.5 per cent

Powys police precept to rise by nearly 7.5 per cent

January 25, 2026

Supporting image for story: We visited a Bridgnorth pub which was given a new lease of life by its landlord and which has become a popular community venue

We visited a Bridgnorth pub which was given a new lease of life by its landlord and which has become a popular community venue

January 23, 2026

Supporting image for story: A third of private weight loss jab patients in West Midlands pushed into debt, figures show

A third of private weight loss jab patients in West Midlands pushed into debt, figures show

January 21, 2026

Supporting image for story: Fears that Powys rent hikes will push people into poverty are not listened to

Fears that Powys rent hikes will push people into poverty are not listened to

Supporting image for story: Senior councillors claim budget matches Powys people's priorities

Senior councillors claim budget matches Powys people's priorities

Supporting image for story: Cheap loans for families to install solar panels, heat pumps and batteries

Cheap loans for families to install solar panels, heat pumps and batteries

January 19, 2026

Supporting image for story: Powys County Council to write to 110 homes about extra help with winter energy costs

Powys County Council to write to 110 homes about extra help with winter energy costs

Supporting image for story: The UK’s best and worst energy suppliers have been ranked in a Which? consumer survey - see the full results here

The UK’s best and worst energy suppliers have been ranked in a Which? consumer survey - see the full results here

January 18, 2026

Supporting image for story: We visited a pub near the Shropshire border that was wrecked by a car but bounced back as a vibrant community hub

We visited a pub near the Shropshire border that was wrecked by a car but bounced back as a vibrant community hub

January 14, 2026

Supporting image for story: 4.3 per cent council house rent rise will push people into poverty tenants group warns

4.3 per cent council house rent rise will push people into poverty tenants group warns

Supporting image for story: Loans co-operative's credit card warning

Loans co-operative's credit card warning