Cost Of Living Price Increasing From Today As Several Increases Begin

1st April 2023

Several price increases come in from today 1 April 2023.

The winter discount for nearly all billpayers has now come to an end, with no sign of the government repeating the support. This saw a total of £400 taken off energy bills by suppliers, in six instalments of about £67 a month. In some areas, standing charges - the fixed costs of being connected to the network - are going up.

Council tax, water and mobile bills rise all rise from today in addition to increased energy bills.

Highland council agreed a rise in council tax of 4 percent but many council are in the region of 5%.

Water bills in Scotland rise by an average of £19, or 5%.

Vehicle Excise Duty (Car Tax) a legal requirement for all vehicles - is rising by 10.1% for car, van and motorcycle drivers, in line with inflation. The amount due depends on when the vehicle was registered and its emissions.

The cost of most mobile and broadband contracts can go up by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) or Retail Prices Index (RPI) measures of inflation plus nearly 4%, adding 17.3% to the price of some services. Not all will go up but check your contracts.

Postage stamps become more expensive on Monday.

In England but not in Scotland an NHS prescription now costs £9.65, up by 3.2%, and the cost of prescription prepayment certificates have also now gone up.

Help on the other side of the balance sheet

Minimum wage rates
One thing that will assist with the bills for around two million people on the lowest incomes is a pay rise. The increase, of up to 9.7%, in minimum wages varies by the age of the employee.

The new rates are:

National Living Wage for over-23s: £10.42 an hour, up from £9.50
National Minimum Wage for those aged 21-22: £10.18, up from £9.18
National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds: £7.49, up from £6.83
National Minimum Wage for under-18s: £5.28, up from £4.81
The Apprentice rate: £5.28, up from £4.81
A 10.1% increase in most benefits and the state pension will take effect from 10 April.

Cost of Living Payments
The next round of cost-of-living payments, worth hundreds of pounds for eight million people on low incomes and receiving benefits will be paid automatically towards the end of the month.

Pensions
Many pensions go up by 10.1% from today.