Overview

• Energy bills have risen by 6.4%, adding £111 annually to the average household's costs under Ofgem's new price cap.
• Water bills in England and Wales have surged by an average of 26%, with some areas seeing increases as high as 47%.
• Council tax is up by an average of 5% in England, with certain regions imposing hikes of up to 10%.
• The Resolution Foundation predicts working households will be £400 poorer this year due to rising bills, tax freezes, and slower wage growth.
• Charities warn of increased reliance on food banks, homelessness, and poverty, as benefits rise below inflation, exacerbating financial strain on low-income groups.