Overview

• Essential household bills across the UK have risen sharply from April 1, 2025, with energy prices increasing by 6.4%, water bills by an average of 26%, and council tax by 5% in most areas.
• Charities, including Crisis and the Trussell Trust, warn that these increases will exacerbate poverty, homelessness, and reliance on food banks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
• The National Living Wage has increased by 6.7%, providing some financial relief for low-income workers, though concerns remain about its impact on businesses and employment opportunities.
• Telecom providers have raised broadband and mobile phone bills, with some contracts seeing increases tied to inflation plus 3.9 percentage points, further straining household budgets.
• Advocacy groups are urging the government to introduce additional measures to support struggling families, as current interventions are seen as insufficient to address the growing economic inequality.