Cost of living: how to prepare for the ‘awful April’ shower of bill increases

From council tax to water, broadband to stamps, costs climb again from next month …. and that’s before any knock-on effects from Iran war

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Next month, UK households face a bill surge in which the annual cost of essentials, including council tax and water, increase by more than £200 – and that is before the full impact of price jumps caused by the Iran war hit your pocket.

The “awful April” increases are particularly unwelcome as the financial turmoil caused by the Middle East conflict has pushed up mortgage rates, fuel prices and energy bills for rural households.