Whatever services you depend on in your home, many of them will get more expensive in April, for example, energy and water bills as well as TV licences.
Here’s a breakdown of bills that will rise this week.
What bills are increasing?
Energy
A home using typical amounts of gas and electricity faces a 6.4 per cent increase in its annual energy bill to £1,849, amounting to another £111 a year or £9.25 a month, starting on April 1. The price cap was increased to £1,738 in January by Ofgem (a 1.2 per cent rise).
The cap is set every three months. The next energy price cap announcement, for July 1 to September 30, 2025, will be made by Ofgem on May 27.
According to consumer expert Martin Lewis, given the current state of energy prices: “If you find a fix for up to 3% more than the current (January to March) or 3% less than the new (April to June) price cap, it's predicted you'll save over the year compared with staying on the price cap.”
Outfox the Market is presently offering a 12-month fix for 7.4 per cent less than the January cap and 12.9 per cent less than the April cap, making it the best price available.
Water
Following regulator Ofwat's price review in April, water rates are expected to increase by an average of £11 a month; however, this will vary by location and water supplier.
For instance, the yearly bill for Southern Water will increase by 47 per cent to £703, while the bill for Bournemouth Water will increase by 32 per cent.
This is the beginning of a 36 per cent bill hike over the following five years. The £104 billion revamp of the water industry, according to Ofwat, will be funded by the hike and provide “substantial, lasting improvements for customers and the environment”.
The amount that a household's water bill will increase by depends on the location. Out of the 11 water and wastewater companies, Southern Water customers will see the largest increase in their bills. With a rate increase of 21 per cent during the time, Wessex Water customers will experience the smallest increase.
On this one, Martin Lewis offers some straightforward advice: a water meter will probably save you money if your home has more bedrooms than residents.
Asking for a “assessed charge” can give you the best of both worlds if your water supplier says it is unable to provide you with a meter.
Council tax
Labour confirmed bills will be allowed to rise by a maximum of 4.99 per cent, meaning rises of around two times higher than the current inflation rate.
In England, the average Band D council tax levied by local governments for 2025–2026 will be £2,280, up £109 or 5.0 per cent from the £2,171 amount for 2024–2025.
While the City of London and 28 other London boroughs have implemented maximum council tax hikes of 4.99 per cent effective from April 1, Barnet Council will raise its council tax by 4.98 per cent. Kensington and Chelsea's council tax will increase by four per cent, Wandsworth residents' bills will increase by two per cent.
The Government granted Newham Council permission to increase its bills by 8.99 per cent in 2025–2026 after the council requested further assistance last year owing to housing pressures from temporary dwellings.
Although the Government can allow a bigger increase, a borough that wants to raise taxes over the cap typically needs to hold a local referendum to ratify the increase.
Additionally, the Government will provide approximately £418 million in exceptional financial support loans to seven London boroughs for the upcoming fiscal year.
TV licence
The cost of a colour TV licence will increase by £5, from the current £169.50 to £174.50, in accordance with inflation.
People who are 75 years of age or older and get pension credit, or who live with a partner who does, are eligible for a free TV licence. Applications can be made online or by giving TV Licensing a call on 0300 790 6071.
A licence costs £7.50 for individuals in residential care or sheltered housing, and is 50 per cent less for those who are registered blind or live with someone who is.
Vehicle excise duty
The standard rate of vehicle excise duty (VED), usually known as road tax, for vehicles registered after April 2017 is increasing. As of April 2025, the flat rate for car tax is £195, a £5 rise.
Although hybrid vehicles are on a very low £10 rate, they can now be liable for the luxury car tax levy, which is £410 if the car was originally listed for more than £40,000.
Depending on the year a car was registered and the kind of fuel it uses, drivers can pay less if it was first registered before 2017.
Electric vehicles will no longer be free from VED. Those registered starting in April 2025 are liable for the standard rate after the first year at the reduced cost of £10.
Stamp duty
For first-time homebuyers, the current “nil rate” band (where they begin paying) will drop from £425,000 to £300,000.
For other homebuyers, it drops from £250,000 to £125,000.
According to Santander, a typical first-time buyer in London may have to pay almost £11,000 more starting from April 1.
NHS dental prices
The Band 1 treatment (such as a check-up) will cost £27.40 instead of £26.80, the Band 2 treatment (such as a filling) will cost £75.30 instead of £73.50, and the Band 3 treatment (such as dentures) would cost £326.70 instead of £319.10.
Broadband and phone bills
Earlier this year, communications regulator Ofcom implemented new regulations that forbid unexpected mid-contract price increases for premium TV, broadband and mobile plans. Anyone who signed a contract on or after January 17, 2025, is covered by this.
The new regulations mandate that providers notify clients of future price increases, including the date of the increase and the amount in pounds and pence.
