The cost of living crisis is putting additional pressure on household finances for millions of families across Scotland as the nation tries to cope with soaring energy bills, rising inflation and higher National Insurance Contributions this month.
April is a month of change which sees the start of the new financial year, benefits uprating for those delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Social Security Scotland, and increases to most utility bills for streaming services, broadband, mobile phone and premium TV.
However, families on a low-income with children under the age of six, could receive an extra £20 every week to help with these rising costs.
