A wide range of household bills and everyday costs will rise in April, putting pressure on family finances. Water bills in England and Wales will increase by an average 5.4%, with higher rises in some regions, while councils across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are raising council tax, in many cases close to or above previous caps. Broadband and mobile providers are increasing monthly charges, car tax is rising to a flat £200 for most vehicles registered after 2017, and stamp prices and air travel taxes are also going up. The price of some popular drinks in pubs will increase as well.

Premium bond holders will see their chances of winning reduced as the prize fund rate is cut and the odds lengthened. Frozen income tax thresholds may also pull more people into higher tax bands or reduce the value of savings allowances as wages rise.

There is some relief for households. Energy bills are set to fall under a lower price cap, rail fares and prescription charges in England are frozen, and benefits linked to inflation will rise by 3.8%, with the state pension increasing by 4.8%. The national living wage and minimum wage rates are also increasing, and changes to universal credit will allow more support for families with more than two children.