Millions of Amazon users are set to see their monthly bills rise in price, with the online retailer confirming that subscription costs will shoot up next month.
The latest increase will affect those who stream music via the company's Amazon Prime Music Unlimited - which includes access to millions of songs and podcasts and gives users the option to download files directly onto their mobile devices.
At the time of writing, the service costs £9.99 monthly for non-Prime members - but this will increase to £10.99 or an extra £12 per year as of February 21.
Read more: Amazon shoppers rave over 'warmest blanket ever made' that saves them turning the heating on
The Daily Express reports that although it might be a small amount, with household budgets already stretched it couldn't come at a worse time. Justifying the increase, Amazon said: "To offer you our service in the usual quality, we're updating the prices of select Amazon Music Unlimited plans."
As well as the standard price going up, Amazon's Student discount is also increasing with those who were paying £4.99 soon to be hit by a similar £1 price hike. This new Music Unlimited rise comes just months after Amazon hiked the cost of its full Prime membership.
Back in September last year, the price of Prime rose to £8.99 (was £7.99) for a monthly membership or £95 (was £79) for customers happy to join for a full year. Speaking on the hike, a spokeswoman for the company said: "Prime offers the best of shopping and entertainment, and continues to improve each year.
"We have increased the number of products available with fast, unlimited Prime delivery, recently added ultra-fast fresh grocery delivery, and have significantly expanded our high-quality digital entertainment, including TV, movies, music, games, and books. With increased inflation and operating costs in the UK continuing to rise, we will change the price of Prime."
Of course, it's not just Amazon that is increasing prices. Apple Music users have also been hit by higher prices in recent months with £1 added to bills each month.
That means those using Apple's individual plan are now also paying £10.99 per month rather than the previous £9.99 price. The US technology giant said the price hikes were due to an increase in licensing costs so that 'artists and songwriters will earn more for the streaming of their music'.
The only firm bucking that trend is Spotify with the popular music streaming platform keeping prices the same. The company currently offers an individual option for £9.99 per month which is the same price that it has always charged.
Whether Spotify will now join its rivals remains to be seen. It's worth noting that all of the most popular music platforms continue to offer a free trial.
Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music Unlimited have full 30 days of access without paying a penny to join.
Read next:
- £300 Michael Kors bag reduced to just £60 in designer's huge January sale
Marks & Spencer shoppers praise Chinese New Year box that's 'better than a takeaway'
B&Q shoppers hail £7.50 dehumidifier that banishes mould and condensation in just two days
Thermals compared from Primark, Asda and Marks & Spencer to find the warmest winner
IKEA shoppers praise little-known furniture buyback scheme after making 'small fortune'
