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As of April 1, millions of people will face increases in their bills for broadband, mobile telephony, water and municipal taxes Households are facing a wave of price hikes that could make the average family hundreds of pounds a year worse off. As of April 1, millions of people will face increases in their bills for broadband, mobile telephony, water and municipal taxes.
Most local authorities are increasing council tax by 5% from April, which means that people living in a D-band house can expect to pay around an extra £100 each year.
The average water bill will rise by £31 a year, an increase of 7.5%, while mobile and broadband prices are expected to rise by 14-17%.
Ofcom is expected to hold these companies to account, but it has kicked things in the wrong direction with a review that won't arrive until the end of the year.
Matthew Upton, Citizens Advice's policy director, said: “Millions of people will now have to put up with anti-inflationary price increases on their mobile phone and broadband contracts, by an average of £90 more a year.
“We asked these companies to support their customers during this particularly difficult time, but they didn't listen. Instead, they are moving forward with these mid-contract price increases.
“Ofcom should be holding these companies to account, but it has kicked off with a review that won't take place until the end of the year.
"When the regulator acts, it must address it once and for all by prohibiting any future mid-contract price increases."
Meanwhile, the government's energy bill support scheme ends in April, forcing households to find an extra £66 a month to cover their gas and electricity.
Even the prescription fee in England will increase by 30p from April 1st, bringing the fee to £9.65 per item.
The inevitable bill increase comes as consumers are already dealing with the cost-of-living crisis in the form of inflation and skyrocketing food prices.
About 2.5 million households defaulted or defaulted on household expenses, loans or "must pay" credit card payments in March, according to consumer group Which?
Household finance app Us.co has calculated that a typical family will be worse off at £682.70 a year due to increases.
Following the increases closely, mortgage payments will be higher for borrowers looking for a new deal, as well as those with variable loans after the Bank of England raised loan rates to a maximum of 4.25%. in 14 years.
Us.co founder and CEO Greg Marsh said: “These are troubling times and could push millions of families to the brink.
“And we're not just talking about low-income people. Even dual-income families with above-average incomes will now find themselves dragged into the struggle to live.
Emily Seymour from Which? He said: "Which one? Research shows that as the cost of living crisis continues to hit, millions of households are missing essential payments every month, like mortgages, rent and credit card bills.
“As this new wave of price increases takes effect, it is more essential than ever that the government and essential businesses, such as telecommunications companies, energy companies and supermarkets, do everything possible to support consumers. consumers and provide clear information about available support.”
The April bill increases coincide with the start of a new fiscal year, beginning April 6, in which various tax and savings thresholds will remain frozen.
Frozen tax thresholds create a "tax brake," in which people end up paying more in tax as wage increases push them into higher brackets.
However, retirees could get some relief in April as the state pension rises by 10.1% under the triple lock reset system, in line with rising cost of living.
PA wire
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