The price hikes that could add £722 to your bills this year – and how to avoid them
HOUSEHOLDS need to brace themselves for bill hikes of up to £722.40 this year - but be savvy with your cash and you could cut these costs now.
From energy price increases to rising train fares and water bills, we've rounded-up everything you need to know.
Council tax bills
Rise: up to £107 a year on average. Save: completely cut costs
Local authorities in England are allowed to raise council tax by up to 3 per cent from April.
In reality, this means a £50 increase on the average Band D bill of £1,671.
But some councils will also be allowed to add a further 2 per cent (£33) to bills to raise money for social care and an extra 1.5 per cent (£24) to fund the local police force.
The total rise of up to £107 will take the typical Band D bill to £1,778 – 25 per cent higher than a decade ago.
Councils in Scotland will also be able to up bills by 3 per cent in 2019/20, while councils in Wales have yet to disclose their plans.
But you might be able to cut your bill by challenging your council tax band.
You may also be eligible for discounts of up to 100 per cent. Here's what you could get:
- 25 per cent off if you’re an adult living on your own, or no one else in your home counts as an adult (which is generally someone aged over 18 who isn’t a full-time college or university student)
- 50 per cent off if no one in your home, including you, counts as an adult – for example, those on apprentice schemes.
- Up to 50 per cent off second homes or holiday homes
- 100 per cent off if everyone in your home is a full-time student
- 100 per cent off for up to six months from getting probate if you’re selling an empty property on behalf of someone who has died
- Up to 100 per cent off if you’re on a low income or claim certain benefits.
People in Northern Ireland are unaffected by this as they don't pay council tax.
Energy prices
Rise: could rise by up to £311 a year. Save: £300 a year
In 2018, energy providers hiked prices by up to £311, according to research from auto-switching service Look After My Bills.
And while the Big Six energy suppliers have yet to reveal their cards for 2019, it's likely prices will rise again.
Look After My Bills says Fischer Energy, Outfox the Market, and Pure Planet, have already announced increases for 2019 due to rising wholesale costs - the price suppliers pay for gas and electricity.
Outfox the Market increased the average cost of its "Blast" tariff by £140 per year from January 1, while Pure Planet will charge its 100 Per Cent Green customers an additional £77 from January 15.
The exact price hike by Fischer Energy is yet to be confirmed.
But despite a cap on energy prices coming into force at the beginning the of the year, you could save around £300 a year by switching, according to regulator Ofgem.
Just tap your details into a free price comparison tool such as Energyhelpline.com or CompareTheMarket.com.
There are also new online tools, such as Switchcraft, that automatically swap you on to a cheaper energy tariff when your current one ends.
Prescription and dental costs
Rise: could rise by up to £12.40 a year. Save: Could completely cut costs
We don't know yet how much prescription and dental treatment costs will rise by in the new financial year, but in 2018/19 prescriptions rose by 20p while dental treatments increased by up to £12.20.
But there are ways to save. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, prescriptions are free.
Prescriptions and dental costs may also be free if you are:
- 60 or over
- under 16
- under 19 and in full-time education
- are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months
- receiving certain benefits, such as pension credit guarantee credit, or your partner is eligible for them.
If you’re on a low income, also check if you qualify for help under the .
Train fare hikes
Rise: some will pay £280 a year more. Save: depends on journey
Rail fares are set to shoot up by an average of 3.1 per cent in England and Wales from TODAY, and by 2.2 per cent in Scotland.
This will leave some paying an extra £280 a year more.
But there are some ways you can still bag a bargain - from booking in advance to buying a season ticket to saving a third with railcards - here's what you need to know.
Water bills
Rise: Up to £12 a year. Save: £100+
Water bills in England, Scotland and Wales typically rise at the start of the new financial year in April.
We don't know yet what the increases will be in 2019/20, but last year they rose by up to £12.
You can't switch your water or sewerage provider but you could check if you can reduce your bill by installing a water meter.
Comparison website MoneySupermarket says having a water meter installed can result in a saving of £50 to £100 a year.
Becoming more efficient with your water will also ensure you can save - for example, taking a shower instead of a bath and turning the taps off while you brush your teeth.
Read more on bills
We've rounded-up three simple energy tricks that could save you more than £200 a year – and you don’t even need to switch supplier.
We also reveal why brushing your teeth in the shower could be costing you almost £30 more a year.
Plus, here's how to save £1,500 this year with the 365 day challenge.
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