Brits face bills increases from TOMORROW – including broadband, council tax, water and prescriptions
Britons face punishing increases in their bills from TOMORROW – including broadband, council tax, water, prescriptions and more
Britons will face punishing increases in the cost of everything from broadband and mobile rates to council tax, water bills, prescription charges and stamps from tomorrow – April Fools’ Day.
The increases will further hurt households amid the greatest price pressures since at least the 1950s.
Most broadband and mobile phone companies will increase their rates by around 14 per cent, but some Virgin Media customers are facing punishing increases of 17.3 per cent and, in extreme cases, 25 per cent.
The increases come despite pleas from telecoms watchdog Ofcom and consumer groups for companies to give them up due to cost-of-living tightness.
Ofcom has responded by launching an investigation into major price increases in the middle of the contracts.
Britons face punishing increases in the cost of everything from broadband and mobile rates to council tax, water bills, prescription charges and stamps from tomorrow – April Fools’ Day
The majority of local authorities are raising council tax by 5 per cent, which will see the typical figure for a Band D property exceed £2,000 for the first time.
Water bills will see the biggest increase in about 20 years, with annual costs for an average household set at £448. The 7.5 per cent increase means customers will pay an average of £31 more.
The price of an NHS prescription increases by 30 pence, from £9.35 to £9.65. At the same time, the cost of prescription prepayment certificates – which cover multiple NHS prescriptions for a fixed price – will also rise. A three-month PPC rises from £30.25 to £31.25 and a 12-month PPC rises from £108.10 to £111.60. The cost of wigs and fabric props will also rise, while the recently introduced Hormone Replacement Therapy PPC will cost £19.30.
The Royal Mail will increase the price of a first class stamp from 95 pence to £1.10 from 3 April, while second class will increase by 7 pence, from 68 pence to 75 pence.
Most broadband and cell phone companies are increasing rates by about 14 percent
As a blow to motorists, the car tax will increase by 10.1 percent from April 1. The amount to be paid depends on when the vehicle was registered and on the emissions.
Which? consumer expert Emily Seymour said: ‘Our research shows that as the cost of living crisis continues, millions of households are missing out on essential payments – such as mortgage, rent and credit card bills – every month.
“As this new wave of price hikes takes effect, it is more critical than ever that the government and essential companies – such as telecoms and energy companies – do everything they can to support consumers and provide clear information about what support is available. ‘