Current budget plans include a 4.8 per cent increase to council rents
Councillors will vote of the 2026/27 budget on February 26(Image: Hull Live)
The Labour opposition group on Hull City Council is to propose freezing council house rents for the upcoming financial year. Labour Party councillors will bring forward a proposed amendment to the council’s 2026/27 budget which currently plans to increase rents by 4.8 per cent.
On Thursday, February 26, councillors will meet in the Guildhall to vote on the 2026/27 budget. Earlier this month, the leader’s proposals for the budget were published which also include a council tax increase of 4.99 per cent.
The leader of the council, Liberal Democrat Cllr Mike Ross, said his plans look to deliver “a better city for the people of Hull.” The 4.8 per cent rent increase suggested in the proposals is in line with the Government’s guidance and matches with the increase recently approved in East Riding Council’s budget.
The Labour Group has announced it will call for rents to be frozen. Labour councillor Karen Wood, who represents Avenue ward and is the Hull Labour Group’s shadow portfolio holder for housing, said: “The Lib Dems have shamefully hiked rent by 24 per cent since taking control of the council four years ago. Often critical of central government, this is one function where the rent levels are wholly in the gift of the ruling Lib Dem council.
“This situation is a disgrace. The council need to be taking urgent action, not punishing working people with another rent hike.”
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Terry Sullivan, local Labour campaigner on Boothferry estate, said: “For four years we’ve had talk and no action. Enough is enough: we need vital new homes built on Boothferry Estate, to give local families decent housing and a decent future.”
The rent increase means a real-terms weekly rise for a tenant in a one-bed home of 86p, up to £1.26 for tenants in a four-bed home. Despite the increase, council remains the lowest costing provider of rented accommodation in the city. The budget also includes a further £120m to invest in adding to the council’s housing stock.
Responding to the Labour Group’s proposal, Lib Dem Housing Cabinet member Cllr Paul Drake-Davis said: “This is yet another uncosted and irresponsible policy from Labour politicians that left council housing in a dire state across Hull. The Liberal Democrats have a positive plan for housing across the city. Funds will go into a record number of housing repairs to bring homes across Hull up to the quality residents deserve.
“This Lib Dem budget sees record investment to make Hull a better place to live for council tenants and others alike. While Labour play fantasy accounting, we are getting on with the job.”
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