46 h. ago ‘Awful April’ bills rise will push people to poverty, homelessness and foodbanks, charities warn

Increasing cost of bills ranging from gas, electricity, water and council tax has left many ‘dangerously exposed’

Events

52 h. ago Price increase: the areas worst affected by national council, car tax, TV licence rises of Awful April 2025

Household bills are soaring this April, with some regions facing eye-watering hikes 💸

Economics

53 h. ago Voices: Energy, water, council tax – how are you coping with rising bills this ‘awful April’? Join The Independent Debate

As ‘awful April’ brings another wave of rising bills, we want to know — are you feeling the pinch, and has Labour’s handling of the cost of living crisis so far changed your view of Sir Keir Starmer’s government?

Economics

54 h. ago These are all the bills which are set to rise in 'awful April'

Households will be hit by a whole series of rises over the coming month

Politics

55 h. ago Awful April bill rises: 'Our benefits already aren't enough for my family to get by'

Michelle Kerr, 41, from Glasgow is dreading how soaring bills and costs from today will impact her family with the mum-of-three claiming she risks going into debt

Politics

55 h. ago Is 'April Bills Day' just the start? Brits are hit with hikes to council tax, energy, water, NICs and vehicle duty... amid fears burden will have to rise AGAIN due to Trump tariffs

Brits face an 'Awful April' of domestic tax rises and bill increases hammering family finances starting today - with fears Donald Trump 's tariffs will soon push the burden even higher.

Economics

3 d. ago Are you worried about 'Awful April'? Take our poll as bills set to rise

April is bringing a wave of price hikes across the UK - from council tax to energy bills. With costs rising and wages stagnating, we're asking if you're worried

Politics

3 d. ago Brace yourself for 'Awful April' cost of living increases from TOMORROW: Brits face fallout from hikes to council tax, energy bills, NICs and vehicle duty ... before Trump hammers us as well

Brits face an 'Awful April' of domestic tax rises and bill increases hammering family finances starting tomorrow - before Donald Trump adds to the economic hammering.

Economics

3 d. ago Lowest earners ‘running out of options’ ahead of April bill hikes

Citizens Advice said those on the lowest incomes were ‘already stretched to breaking point’ even before ‘awful April’ bill rises take effect.

Politics

6 d. ago Proportion of children living in low income families, by local area

Relative low income is defined here as any family claiming child benefit and at least one other household benefit.

Society

6 d. ago Asda: UK groceries shopping retailer to give staff generous pay rise and invest £80m to increase wages, jobs

The firm is bringing pay boosts and family-friendly benefits for thousands of staff 💼

Economics

1 week ago Labour infighting rages over £5bn welfare squeeze as David Lammy tells Cabinet 'one of my family is on benefits when they shouldn't be'

Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, this week unveiled reforms that experts said would see around a million people in England and Wales lose disability benefits.

Economics

2 w. ago Brits have left £23bn in benefits unclaimed – here’s how to check if you’re eligible for childcare costs

Around £1.7bn is unclaimed in child benefits alone - make sure you’re requesting what you can

Economics

2 w. ago Families face 'Awful April' as water, energy and council tax bills all rise on same day

Households are facing a financial squeeze in April as a stack of bills all rise on the same date, costing families more than £450 as a result of bills all shooting up on the same day

Economics

3 w. ago DWP PIP: Exact amount all award payments for 3.6million people will rise by in April

In the Autumn Statement last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that benefits would be rising by 1.7% and this included the UK's main disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Economics