April will bring a series of price rises for households - here's a list of things that will cost more from this weekend.
The country is already seeing a cost of living crisis, with many people struggling to make ends meets. Now, with the start of the new financial year in April, there are some price increases to be aware of.
Here is a round-up of things that will cost you more money, reports the Manchester Evening News. It includes changes to water bills, mobile phone bills and the cost of stamps.
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Council tax
The majority of council tax payments will increase by five per cent in April, but this may vary depending on where you live. It comes after a change in rules has allowed councils to raise their tax prices by up to five per cent without a referendum.
Analysis by the Mirror of town, city and council hall budgets found that more than three quarters (76%) were planning to impose the maximum possible hike to bills on April 1.
Water bills
Water bills will rise by 7.5% from April 1 - the biggest increase in 20 years. From April 1, the typical combined water bill will rise by an average of £31 a year - or 7.5% - to £448.
However, your provider will determine how much your bills will rise by. Water firms say that the increase is partly driven by higher energy bills, pointing out that water suppliers consume two per cent of UK electricity.
NHS prescriptions
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) previously froze the cost of a prescription in England at £9.35. However, from April 1 prescription charges will be increased at an inflation rate of 3.21%, meaning that prescriptions will cost 30p more - from £9.35 to £9.65.
Furthermore, prescription pre-payment prices will increase by £1 to £31.23 while 12-month PPC will increase by £3.50 to £111.60.
NHS dental charges
This change will not kick in this weekend but towards the end of the month. The fee for dental procedures on the NHS will increase by 8.5% from April 24. A band 1 treatment like a check-up will increase from £23.80 to £25.80, a band 2 like a filling will increase from £65.20 to £70.70, and a band 3 like dentures will increase from £282.80 to £306.80.
Stamps
From April 3, Royal Mail will introduce price changes to first class and second class stamps. First class stamps will increase by 15p to £1.10 while second-class stamps will increase by 7p to 75p.
Vehicle Excise Duty
As part of the Budget announcement earlier this month, the Government confirmed that the rate of Vehicle Excise Duty would increase. This rise will apply to cars, vans and motorcycles in line with the rate of inflation (RPI) from April 1, 2023.
The Retail Price Index is currently at 10.1%, which will be reflected with the increase in car tax, with the sums being rounded to the nearest £5. The standard rate, which drivers pay from year two after the car was first registered, will increase from £165 to £180.
Mobile phones and broadband
Under current rules, telecom companies can raise their prices in line with inflation plus around 4%. The rate of CPI for December or RPI for January are generally used to factor this change.
For December, the CPI rate stood at 10.5% with some companies going with this increase plus 3.9% - equating to a 14.4% increase. Meanwhile, the RPI for January stood at 13.4%, paving the way for rises as high as 17.3% with additional increases factored in.
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