British households are bracing for another "awful April" as a wave of bill increases threatens to push many to their financial limits.
While energy costs offer a temporary reprieve, significant hikes to council tax, water, broadband, and mobile phone charges are set to take effect.
Council tax across England is seeing its fourth consecutive year of increases averaging around 5 per cent.
The average Band D property will face a bill of £2,392 in 2026/27, marking a rise of £111 or 4.9 per cent from the previous year.
These figures, compiled by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, encompass all additional charges, including adult social care, parish precepts, and levies from police, fire, and regional authorities.
Adding to the financial strain, household water bills across England and Wales are set to climb by an average of 5.4 per cent. This translates to an additional £33 annually for the typical household.
There is significant regional variation in bill increases, with Severn Trent customers seeing a 10 per cent increase, Sutton and East Surrey imposing an 11 per cent increase, Bristol Water a 12 per cent rise and Affinity Water (central region) customers warned they have a 13 per cent jump coming.
Around 2.5 million households are eligible for social tariffs, with savings of around 40 per cent.
A host of broadband providers are hiking prices by almost £50 per year, with one in four customers (28 per cent) free to leave and already paying between £7 and £9 a month more than in-contract customers.
Totally Money said “millions” of people are out of contract with their mobile phone provider, and so also free to leave and find a better deal – with some SIM only deals available for less than £5 a month.
In a sliver of good news, the price most households pay for energy will fall by 7 per cent from April 1, driven by promised Government cuts to bills.
Ofgem’s price cap will drop from the current £1,758 to £1,641 – a reduction of £117 or around £10 a month for the average household using both electricity and gas.
However, the reduction is lower than the average £150 cut to bills pledged by the Chancellor in November, when she moved 75 per cent of the cost of the renewables obligation from household bills onto general taxation and scrapped the energy company obligation (Eco) scheme.
And of increasing concern is the amount energy bills could rise by from July as a result of the Middle East conflict, with latest predictions suggesting this could be by well over £300 a year.
In the meantime, consumer groups have urged households to send in meter readings ahead of 1 April to ensure their energy usage is billed at the lowest possible rate, and investigate fixed rate deals.
TotallyMoney spokesman James McCaffrey said: “With around 22 million households on their supplier’s standard variable rate, most are paying the maximum allowed by the regulator.
“Check your current contract, and if you haven’t switched in the past year, it’s likely you’ll be free to leave – and you could save up to £917.”
He added: “One in four broadband customers are out of contract, paying up to £9 per month more than those in contract. To add salt to the wound, BT, EE, Plusnet and Virgin Media are all hiking broadband prices by £4 a month, Sky by £3, and Vodafone by £3.50 – adding nearly £50 more per year to bills.
“If you’re out of contract, then you’re free to leave and find a better deal. If you want to stay with your current provider, pick up your phone and haggle for a new deal.
“They won’t want to lose you to a competitor, and should offer you a better deal.”
Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: “Many households never saw the back of the last cost-of-living crisis, with millions of people still unable to make ends meet.
“With key bills such as council tax and water rising from April and global instability threatening further price shocks, we’re concerned about those who have exhausted every option to keep pace.
“So far this year, we’re helping someone every 30 seconds with crisis support – that’s food bank referrals and charitable grants. And average debt owed is hitting record levels.
“Those struggling most need a lifeline. This should include better targeted energy bill support for people on low incomes, help with soaring rent costs, and support to help people get out of debt.”
Households braced for ‘awful April’ as council tax and water bills soar
Council tax rises for April confirmed as some areas face 9% increase
All the bills going up in April as households face over £200 in extra costs
Council tax rises for April confirmed as some areas face 9% increase
Citizens Advice giving ‘crisis support’ every 30 seconds ahead of bill rises
All the bills going up in April as households face over £200 in extra costs
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