Households braced for bill increases

As we hit April 1, residents in Newtown are bracing themselves for a host of essential bills to rise steeply.

From council tax to water bills, broadband, mobile, and even stamps, households are being urged to be prepared for the increased costs and encouraged to explore options for savings.

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One of the significant increases that residents will see is in their council tax bills. The bill for an average Band D property in Newtown is set to rise by £153.49 this year. Local authorities are seeking to maximize revenue to support struggling frontline services, leading to various increases in council taxes across Wales. You can view where your council tax is spent with our indictative council tax tool.

Additionally, water and sewerage bills in England and Wales will see a 6% increase from April 1, amounting to around £27 more per year for households. The funds raised through these increased bills are committed to improving water and sewerage systems, with assurances that bills will be reduced by regulators if these improvements are not delivered.

Residents in Newtown can also expect their broadband and mobile bills to rise by around 7.9% on April 1. Major broadband providers like BT, Virgin Media, and Vodafone typically increase prices annually in line with the Consumer Price Index, leading to additional costs for consumers.

Furthermore, road tax is also set to rise in line with the Retail Price Index from April 1, with some vehicles likely to see an increase in tax payments.

The price of stamps will also go up, with first-class stamps increasing by 10p to £1.35 and second-class stamps increasing by 10p to 85p.

Despite these price hikes, there is some good news for residents in Newtown. The average household energy bill is expected to fall to its lowest point in two years from April 1, thanks to Ofgem lowering its price cap in response to wholesale prices.

As households prepare for these impending increases, experts advise residents to explore options for savings. Switching providers for broadband, pay TV, and mobile services can lead to significant cost reductions, along with checking for council tax reductions or exemptions and installing a water meter to save on water bills.