Don’t let the rising bills catch you off guard - use our new household bills calculator to see how much yours will go up

April is shaping up to be a costly month, earning the nickname ‘awful April’ due to multiple bill hikes.  

While the minimum wage is going up and benefits will rise by 1.7%, hikes to household bills are set to add an average increase of £660 a year to household expenses from 1 April.  

Rising bills and low-income households  

We know the cost-of-living crisis hasn’t affected everyone equally. Our new report highlights just how challenging rising costs have been for low-income households. For example, those on low incomes spend 15.2% of their total expenditure on energy, food and drinks, while high-income households spend just 10.4%.  

To help you stay on top of these rising costs, we've launched a free, interactive household bills calculator.  

This tool gives you a personalised forecast of how much more you can expect to pay each month. 

How does it work?  

It’s simple! Just enter your current expenses into the calculator and you’ll get a personalised forecast of how much each bill will increase. You’ll see changes for: 

• energy  

• council tax 

• water 

• broadband and mobile phone 

• food  

• TV licence  

• car tax  

Sebrina McCullough, our external director, explains why tools like this are so important.  

“Our new interactive calculator makes it easy for people to understand exactly how these increases will affect their budget, allowing them to take proactive steps to stay on top of their finances.” 

So, what’s going up and how much by?  

Council tax 

Millions of households in England, Scotland and Wales will face council tax hikes in April: 

• 90% of top-tier councils will raise rates by at least 4.99%. 

• Only 15 councils will raise rates by less than 4.99%. 

• Six councils – Bradford, Newham, Birmingham, Somerset, Trafford, Windsor and Maidenhead, have been allowed to hike bills by up to 10% to cover basic services.  

Water bills  

Water bills in England and Wales rise by an average £10 per month.  

Why are water bills going up?  

Inflation and infrastructure upgrades, including better storm overflows to reduce sewage spills, are behind the increase.  

What support is available if you’re struggling to pay?  

If you're struggling to pay your water bill, check with your provider about payment plans, social tariffs and the WaterSure scheme. You might also be able to join the Priority Services Register which offers extra support for pensioners, disabled people and families with young children. 

Mobile and broadband 

Expect price hikes from mobile and broadband providers starting in April. The average increase will be 6.4% for longstanding customers, while newer customers may see a fixed annual increase of around £3 - £3.50 per month. 

What to do if you can’t afford the price hike?  

• Review your contract to see if you can cancel or switch providers. 

• Consider negotiating a better deal or moving to a provider with a social tariff, which offers cheaper plans for those on universal credit or pension credit. 

• If your provider doesn’t offer a social tariff, they may let you leave your contract early to switch. 

Food prices  

Although food inflation was 2% in January, prices have more than doubled in the past three years, making grocery bills a hefty burden for many households. Experts predict food inflation will rise to 3.4% in 2025. 

Road tax 

Road tax is set to rise by an average of £30 a year, but the exact increase will depend on your vehicle. 

TV licence 

Starting in April, the cost of the annual BBC TV licence fee will increase from £169.50 to £174.50. The price for a black and white TV licence will go up from £57 to £58.50 a year. 

Energy bills 

Energy bills are also going up under the regulator Ofgem’s new cap. Expect a 6.4% increase, which means a typical household will pay £111 more annually or £9.25 per month. This will bring the average yearly bill to £1,849, 9.4% higher than this time last year. 

Help with energy bills 

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, help is available: 

• Contact your energy supplier: they might offer payment plans or grants. 

• Government help: support such as the warm home discount, winter fuel payment and cold weather payment can help eligible households. 

• Debt advice: we can support you with managing energy debt. Get in touch if you’re struggling. 

With so many bills going up in April, it's important to plan ahead. Use our household bills calculator to get a clearer picture of what your new monthly costs will be and take steps to adjust your budget accordingly.