Terrible April has arrived! The City Council, water, broadband and mobile phone bills go up TODAY

Millions of Britons are bracing today for a deluge of rising bills in the most brutal cost-of-living crisis since the 1950s.

April 1 is marked by skyrocketing costs for council taxes, water, prescription drugs, broadband and mobile bills in a move that economists warn could leave families ££ worse off. 700 each year.

Those with an annual income of £12,570 will see their taxes and bills increase by a minimum of £348 a year, while those with an income of £50,270 will face increases of £684, according to the Center for Business and Economic Research (CEBR).

Families earning £125,140 a year are also hit with an extra cost of nearly £1,000 a year, the study published by The Guardian found.

Meanwhile, average council tax bills will top £2,000 for the first time after an increase of £99 from today.

Many others will juggle even more rising charges at a rate of at least 14 percent for mobile and broadband services, with Virgin Media increasing some costs by 17.3 percent and, in extreme cases, 25 percent. .

Water bills are experiencing the biggest increase in some 20 years, costing the average household £448 per year. The 7.5 per cent increase means that customers will pay on average £31 more.

And the price of an NHS prescription is rising by 30p, from £9.35 to £9.65, at the same time as the cost of prepaid prescriptions is rising.

These cover multiple NHS prescriptions for a fixed price.

A three month PPC will increase from £30.25 to £31.25, and a 12 month PPC will increase from £108.10 to £111.60.

The cost of wigs and fabric supports will also rise, while the recently introduced PPC for HRT will cost £19.30.

These sky-high prices come when the government’s winter discount for taxpayers stops.

Ministers have extended the energy price guarantee until June, which will see an average household pay £2,500 for energy every year.

However, energy prices are expected to rise this month before the summer heat sets in.

Amid the cost-of-living crisis, about 2.5 million households defaulted or defaulted on “must pay” household expenses, loans or credit card payments, according to consumer group Which?

Which? Consumer expert Emily Seymour said: ‘Our research shows that as the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit, millions of households are missing essential payments, such as mortgages, rent and credit card bills, every month.

“As this new wave of price increases takes effect, now more than ever it is critical that the government and essential businesses, such as telcos and energy companies, do everything possible to support consumers and provide clear information about what support is available.

Here MailOnline charts the increase in invoices from today, scroll down to find out how price increases might affect you.

municipal taxes

+5 per cent (£100 plus)

Most local authorities are increasing council tax by 5 per cent, which will see the typical figure for a Band D property rise by £100, bringing the total bill to over £2,000 for the first time.

The largest annual percentage increase will be in London, where bills for an average D-Band property will rise by 6.2 percent. But the capital’s average bill of £1,789 is still cheaper than other areas.

Households in metropolitan areas outside the capital will see bills rise 5.1 per cent to an average of £2,059, while rural parts of the country will see a 5 per cent rise to just under £2,140.

The Conservative-led Network of County Councils, which represents local authorities that provide services to almost half the population in England, said the combination of a 4.8 percent increase in direct funding from local government and municipal tax flexibilities in 2023-24 are not enough to cover rising costs and growing demand.

He added that these pressures mean county councils will have to collectively save £1bn, double the amount in a ‘typical’ year, and use £350m of reserves to meet their statutory requirement to set a balanced budget.

Some groups may apply for a discount, including students, people living alone (or only with children under 18), people living with Severe Mental Disability (SMI), those with low income or benefits, and those with pension credits.

To request the discounts you have to go through the Government website.

water bills

+7.5 per cent (£31 more)

Water bills will see the biggest increase in around 20 years, costing the average household £448 per year.

The 7.5 per cent increase means customers will pay an average of £31 more.

However, the amounts that households actually pay will vary significantly depending on their water company, their type of property, and whether they have a water meter.

Consumer groups say the increases will hit customers hard as high food and energy prices push the average annual household bill up another £500 from April.

Southern Water, which was hit with a record £90m fine for dumping sewage into the seas off the south coast, will increase bills by around 10.8 per cent. On average, the annual bill will increase from £43 to £439.

The second highest increase is for Anglian, with bills rising by an average of 10.5 per cent (£47) to £492.

Thames Water, which has sparked controversy for polluting rivers and failing to address leaks, will increase bills by 9.3 percent. The average will increase by £39 to £456.

The highest bills in England and Wales come from Wessex Water, which covers much of the south coast. Bills are up 9 per cent (£42) to £504.

South West Water, which covers Cornwall and Devon, would charge £527 more, but customers benefit from a government-funded £50 annual discount.

NHS prescriptions

+30p

The price of an NHS prescription is rising by 30p, from £9.35 to £9.65.

At the same time, the cost of prepaid prescription certificates, which cover multiple NHS prescriptions for a fixed price, will also increase.

A three month PPC will increase from £30.25 to £31.25, and a 12 month PPC will increase from £108.10 to £111.60.

The cost of wigs and fabric supports will also rise, while the recently introduced PPC for HRT will cost £19.30.

broadband

+ about 14 percent

Most mobile and broadband services are increasing charges by 14 percent since April amid the cost-of-living crisis.

However, as of today, some Virgin Media customers are facing punitive increases of 17.3 percent and, in more extreme cases, 25 percent.

While Virgin Media has been taking this approach since April 1, this is not the case for all providers who may implement changes later.

The increases come despite pleas from watchdog Ofcom and consumer groups for businesses to abandon them due to the lower cost of living.

The policy director of ¿Cúlácula?, Rocío Concha, told the BBC: “Millions of broadband and mobile customers are stuck in a catch-22 situation where they have to accept exorbitant, and hard-to-justify, mid-contract price increases or pay expensive exit fees to terminate their contract early. and find a better deal.

Ofcom has responded by launching an investigation into the large mid-contract price increases.

Seals

+ up to 16 percent (15p more for first class)

Stamp prices will increase by up to 16 per cent as Royal Mail announced it has increased the price of a 95p first class stamp to £1.10 from April 3.

Meanwhile, second class stamps will go up 7 pence, from 68 pence to 75 pence.

The cost of posting large letters is also increasing, with the first class option going from £1.45 to £1.60, and the second class costing an extra 10, instead of £1.05.

Royal Mail said the increase was due to a “25 per cent drop in letter volume since the pandemic, rising costs and the highest inflation rates in a generation”.

car tax

+10.1 percent

In a blow to drivers, the car tax, also known as the vehicle excise tax, will rise 10.1 percent starting today, in line with inflation.

The amount to be paid depends on the vehicle’s registration date and its emissions.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the price increase in the budget earlier this month.

Minimum wage

Despite the cost increases, the minimum wage payment will be increased this month in an effort to support the lowest paid workers.

Annual fees for 21-22 year olds will increase by 10.9%, which is equivalent to an increase of £1, while those aged 23 and over will see a 9.7% increase.

The amount to be collected varies according to age and position, as shown below:

National Living Wage (23 years and over): £10.42 (up 9.7 per cent)

Rate 21-22 Years: £10.18 (up to 10.9%)

Rate 18-20 Years: £7.49 (up 9.7 per cent)

Rate 16-17 years: £5.28 (up to 9.7%)

Apprentice rate: £5.28 (up to 9.7%)