Eight things going up in price in April - including stamps, passports, water and council tax
28.03.2024 - 12:15
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Households across the country will face higher bills and taxes in just a few days.
As we get closer to the new tax year, many of us are starting to think about our money and how to get ready for the changes the government and many firms are bringing in. Among the major things going up in price are council tax, stamps and other essentials.
However, it's not all bad news - from next month, the government is also going to give people claiming benefits like Universal Credit a boost, and the minimum wage is going up too. Energy bills are also set to come down from April.
Read more: New laws coming in April 2024 - including boost for parents, workers rights and Awaab's Law
Here's a list of the thing that will cost you more from April, so you know what to expect when the new tax year starts.
The average annual council tax bill will rise by £106 from April as local authorities seek to maximise revenue to pay for struggling frontline services.
The bill for an average Band D property will increase by 5 per cent to £2,171, with all of the 153 upper-tier councils applying some or all of the social care precept of 2 per cent, according to statistics released by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It means average annual bills have risen by 20 per cent since 2020/21.
In London the average annual bill for a Band D property will be £1,422, an increase of 5 per cent on 2023/24, while metropolitan districts outside London will see an average annual increase of 5.4 per cent to £1,837 on average.
Bills in unitary counties with no districts will rise 5 per cent to £1,886. Meanwhile, the average bill in other county areas will increase by 5 per cent to £1,643, with districts in these areas adding an additional