Council tax, broadband and water bills are rising – but discounts up to 50% are available | Personal Finance | Finance

Ah, new year. New beginnings, new priorities… and a new round of price hikes. I spoke last week about life’s certainties (death, taxes, and  expensive funerals), and annual bill rises are another item to add to that list. And it’s all well and good, but not everyone receives an annual pay increase. Those who live on fixed incomes – a lot of pensioners – have to stretch their money even further, with many often unable to foot bill hikes comfortably. 

Alarming new research by Age UK shows some older people are taking “drastic measures” to make ends meet, with one in 20 admitting to skipping meals this winter, and 35% opting to skimp on heating despite plummeting temperatures. With that in mind, the charity is urging Brits to check if they’re entitled to more financial support. Do that by visiting the Turn2Us.org.uk benefit checker online or by phoning Citizens Advice, but also check if you can cut costs on the bills you’re paying right now. 

Firstly, mobile and broadband bills. Most providers implement “mid-contract price hikes” every April. Following recent Ofcom rulings, many companies have moved away from confusing inflation-linked percentages to flat-rate increases in pounds and pence. 

To name a few, BT, Vodafone and TalkTalk customers are set to see their monthly bills increase by £3 to £4, depending on when they took the contract out. However, most major providers offer social tariffs if you receive certain benefits, like Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

These tariffs can reduce your mobile or broadband bills to as low as £10 per month, depending on the provider. Just search “[Provider Name] Social Tariff” on Google to find one suitable for you. If you don’t qualify, visit MoneySuperMarket.com to compare tariffs and swap to a cheaper one if your contract is ending soon.

The same goes for water bills, which could rise between 5% to 10% this year, depending on the supplier, as they “upgrade infrastructure”. 

Every water company in England and Wales has a social tariff, but the amount of support varies by region.

For example, Thames Water customers who qualify can get up to 50% off their bill this year, while some suppliers offer bill caps, such as Yorkshire Water’s annual £270 limit. Visit the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) website and use its “Help with Bills” tool.

Council tax bills typically rise on April 1 each year. Most local authorities in England are expected to increase bills by the maximum allowed without a referendum, which is currently 4.99%. This could add around £100 on average to the annual bills of those in a Band D property. 

Check if you qualify for a discount. Single-person households can get up to 25% off their bills, while those who receive Pension Credit may qualify for a full discount. Phone your local authority and find out if you qualify for one – there are many options available. 

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DEAL OF THE WEEK 

Get pizza or pasta dishes for 99p at Prezzo when you pre-book a table through the Club Prezzo app for Monday (January 19). Simply download the Club Prezzo app and tap on the ’99p Pasta and Pizza’ offer. After booking, you’ll be sent a QR code, which you’ll need to show to staff. To qualify for the deal on the day, you must buy one cold drink, which usually costs around £3.

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Happy  ‘Energy Saving Week’ to those gearing up to celebrate on Monday. It’s an awareness week that runs annually in the third week of January, and there’s no better way to kick off the festivities than by knocking £210 off your annual bill. According to new guidance by experts at the Energy Saving Trust, you can do this by making four simple changes at home.

Firstly and surprisingly, keeping showers to just four minutes is estimated to save you around £45 per year. Set a timer or play a song to help. The Beatles’ Let It Be is 4.03 minutes. If you want more precision, Europe’s The Final Countdown, Bowie’s Golden Years, and Madonna’s Material Girl are all notable mentions lasting exactly four minutes. 

Secondly, check the temperature on your thermostat. Most homes are comfortable between 18C and 21C. Turning the thermostat down by at least one degree could save you a staggering £90 per year.  A tip for tumble dryer users is to opt for a heated drying rack instead. Energy Saving Trust experts say this change could save you as much as £65 per year.

Making up the fourth tip on the list features the trust cuppa. Measure the water out properly rather than overfilling the kettle to save a more modest £10 per year. A smaller saving, but it all adds up.