£11,000 a year to run the typical house!

The cost of running a home has soared to more than £11,000 a year. Spiralling mortgages and higher power bills have forced the figure
up by 12% in just two years, with mortgage payments accounting for 60% of the cost, according to Sainsbury's Bank.
Average annual mortgage payments have risen by £700 since 2005, taking it up from £5,928 to £6,620.

Gas bills have risen by an average of 27%, taking the figure to £595. The study said electricity had risen 19% to £383.

Water and sewerage bills leapt by 14% to an average of £312, although this hides wide variations among different regions.

The average increase in council tax is 14% since 2005, taking it up to £1,101, while the cost of home alterations and repairs is said to
have jumped by 10%.

The only good news came with home insurance, which is said to have fallen by 2 per cent to £255.

Shadow Chancellor George Osborne said the elderly had been particularly hit. 'Millions of people are struggling as the cost of
living is rising faster than incomes,' he added.