Best financial savings, offers and freebies for April 2026 | UK | News | EUROtoday

Millions of households throughout the UK will see payments rise from April, with a number of prices going up on the similar time. Council tax is rising by 4.9% on common, including round £111 a 12 months for a lot of households, whereas some areas are seeing rises of as much as 8.9%. Water payments are additionally rising by round £33 a 12 months on common, with clients of corporations like United Utilities and Southern Water going through will increase nearer to £55.

Broadband and cellular payments are going up by £3 to £4 a month for a lot of clients at suppliers together with BT, EE, Vodafone and Three. The TV licence can also be rising from £174.50 to £180, whereas stamp costs are rising to £1.80 for a first-class stamp. But there are nonetheless methods to save cash this April. From free meals for kids to discounted days out and journey offers, households can reduce prices in the event that they know the place to look.

Here, the Express seems to be at a number of the finest financial savings, offers and freebies accessible this month.

Several well-known chains are providing free or discounted meals for kids over Easter.

At Bill’s, as much as two youngsters can eat free of charge till April 10 when an grownup orders any major meal. On Easter Sunday, youngsters may also get a free portion of “Egg-cellent Easter Pancakes”.

Asda Café continues its standard deal the place youngsters eat for £1 all day, every single day, with no grownup spend required. A free piece of fruit can also be included.

At Morrisons Café, youngsters eat free when an grownup spends £5, and each adults and youngsters can get a free bowl of cereal and fruit by the “Kellogg’s Breakfast Club” earlier than 11am.

TGI Fridays is providing free children’ meals for patrons signed as much as its free Stripes Rewards app when an grownup buys a major, working till April 19.

Yo! Sushi can also be providing free children’ meals Monday to Friday in the course of the faculty holidays when an grownup spends a minimum of £10.

At The Real Greek, youngsters below 12 eat free on Sundays when an grownup spends £15, with the deal together with a major, drink and dessert.

There are additionally financial savings accessible for these consuming out with out youngsters.

Prezzo is providing 40% off meals payments with a voucher, which may normally be discovered on websites like VoucherCodes or Groupon. Between April 3 and April 6, clients may also get a free “Creme Egg Calzone” when ordering a major and bringing a small Creme Egg.

Zizzi is working a “Two Dine for £25” deal, which incorporates two mains, two sides and two smooth drinks. It is usually accessible Monday to Thursday and Friday earlier than 5pm. AA members may also get 20% off their complete invoice.

PizzaExpress is providing a £10 “Power Lunch” Monday to Friday between 11.30am and 3pm, together with a particular major and a drink. Those signed as much as the PizzaExpress Club app may also entry a three-course set menu for £32.

There are additionally on a regular basis financial savings accessible on the excessive avenue. MyWaitrose members can get a free tea or espresso when making a purchase order and bringing a reusable cup.

New customers of the Greggs app usually obtain a free sizzling drink or candy deal with of their app pockets.

Supermarkets together with Aldi, Lidl and Sainsbury’s are additionally working “Super 6” fashion offers, with seasonal greens corresponding to carrots, potatoes and parsnips priced as little as 8p to 15p per bag.

Morrisons can also be persevering with its Kellogg’s Breakfast Club supply, giving free cereal and fruit in-store in the course of the morning.

Families may also discover low-cost actions throughout the UK.

National Trust Easter trails are working at greater than 180 places, costing £3.50 and together with a path map, bunny ears and a chocolate egg. English Heritage websites corresponding to Dover Castle and Kenilworth are providing related Easter quests for round £2 to £3, with 25% off memberships accessible utilizing the code EASTER26.

There are additionally fully free choices. The Natural History Museum in London is internet hosting its Easter Family Festival from April 5 to April 20, whereas the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and the National Justice Museum in Nottingham are providing free workshops.

Outdoor actions embody the London “Big Egg Hunt” with 100 big eggs throughout places corresponding to Canary Wharf and the South Bank, in addition to free trails at Willen Lake in Milton Keynes and Essex Country Parks.

A free efficiency of The Passion of Jesus may also happen in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday.

Major cinema chains are additionally providing discounted screenings. Odeon Kids, Cineworld Movies for Kids and Vue Mini Mornings all supply tickets sometimes priced between £2.50 and £3.50 for family-friendly movies in the course of the holidays.

There are additionally many native occasions occurring everywhere in the UK.

There are additionally a number of methods households can scale back their payments, whilst costs rise this April.

One of the most important financial savings many individuals miss is the WaterPositive scheme. This permits households with a water meter to cap their invoice on the common value for his or her space if their utilization is excessive for causes past their management.

To qualify, you have to be on a profit corresponding to Universal Credit or Pension Credit and both have three or extra youngsters below 19 at dwelling or a medical situation that requires further water, corresponding to eczema or Crohn’s illness.

For bigger households, this will considerably scale back prices and in some circumstances reduce annual water payments by half. Most water firms additionally supply social tariffs for low-income households. These can scale back payments by anyplace between 20% and 90%, relying in your circumstances.

Some suppliers, together with Thames Water and Welsh Water, supply further reductions for older clients or these on Pension Credit. Switching to a water meter may also assist decrease payments. A normal rule is that if there are as many or extra bedrooms than folks in your house, you possibly can get monetary savings.

For instance, a pair residing in a three-bedroom home might save greater than £200 a 12 months by transferring to a meter. Most firms additionally supply a two-year trial, permitting clients to modify again if it doesn’t work out.

If a meter can’t be put in, households can request an “assessed charge”, which is normally cheaper than customary billing primarily based on property worth.

Water firms additionally present free water-saving kits by schemes corresponding to GetWaterMatch. These embody objects like water-saving showerheads and bathroom gadgets, which may help households save £30 to £50 a 12 months.

There are additionally different methods to scale back family prices. People residing alone are entitled to a 25% low cost on council tax, whereas these on low incomes might qualify for reductions of as much as 100%.

Full-time college students might be exempt from council tax totally, whereas households with a disabled resident might be able to have their property positioned in a decrease band. People with extreme psychological impairment, corresponding to dementia, may additionally be exempt in sure circumstances.

For the TV licence, these aged 75 or over who obtain Pension Credit can get it free of charge, whereas registered blind folks can obtain a 50% low cost. Residents in care houses might qualify for a diminished £7.50 licence.

Households that solely watch on-demand companies corresponding to Netflix or Disney+ and don’t use BBC iPlayer or watch stay TV don’t want a licence.

Additional help can also be accessible by schemes such because the Warm Home Discount, which gives £150 off electrical energy payments, and the Household Support Fund, which presents assist by native councils.

Those on Pension Credit may additionally qualify for further help, together with assist with power payments and different prices. Households may also unfold council tax funds over 12 months as a substitute of 10 to scale back month-to-month prices.

Broadband and cellular payments are rising for a lot of households this April, however there are nonetheless methods to maintain prices down.

Some of the most important financial savings come from social tariffs, that are particular offers for folks on advantages corresponding to Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment. These tariffs will not be affected by April worth rises and are sometimes less expensive than customary contracts.

Hyperoptic presents its Fair Fibre plan from £12 a month, with speeds of round 50Mbps, or £13 for quicker speeds. It can also be a rolling contract, that means clients can depart at any time.

BT Home Essentials prices £15 a month and features a digital dwelling cellphone line with limitless UK calls, whereas Vodafone Fibre 2 Essentials is £20 a month and presents speeds quick sufficient for busy households.

Vodafone can also be providing as much as £200 in invoice credit score to assist clients change and canopy exit charges from current contracts.

Mobile clients may also keep away from worth hikes by switching to networks that provide fastened pricing.

VOXI is providing a £10 a month plan with limitless information, calls and texts for six months for these on advantages, with no credit score test required.

SMARTY, which makes use of the Three community, presents a £12 a month social tariff with limitless 5G information on a rolling contract.

Tesco Mobile clients who enroll utilizing a Clubcard may also lock of their month-to-month worth, that means it won’t rise in the course of the contract.

Anyone not sure about leaving their present supplier can textual content INFO to 85075 free of charge to search out out when their contract ends and whether or not there are any exit charges.

Vodafone can also be providing as much as £200 in invoice credit score to assist clients change suppliers.

There are additionally a number of journey offers and modifications this April that might assist folks get monetary savings.

One of the most important updates is the growth of the Disabled Persons Railcard. Since March 1, anybody with a Blue Badge or a Disabled Persons Bus Pass now qualifies.

The railcard prices £20 for one 12 months or £54 for 3 years and offers one-third off rail fares. This applies to each the holder and one grownup travelling with them, with no time restrictions, that means the low cost can be utilized on peak-time trains.

There are additionally limited-time offers accessible. Trip.com is releasing 200 railcards for simply £1 on April 2 at noon, together with choices such because the 16-25 Railcard, Family & Friends Railcard and Senior Railcard. These are anticipated to promote out rapidly.

For households travelling in Scotland, ScotRail is providing a £60 move between April 3 and April 13. This permits two adults and as much as 4 youngsters limitless journey for seven days.

The Family & Friends Railcard stays an alternative choice, sometimes costing £30 and providing one-third off grownup fares and 60% off youngsters’s fares for as much as 4 adults and 4 youngsters.

Bus journey guidelines are additionally altering in England from April 6. Free bus passes are linked to the State Pension age, which is rising from 66 in direction of 67. This means some folks turning 66 might have to attend longer to qualify.

However, free bus journey from the age of 60 will proceed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In London, the 60+ Oyster card nonetheless permits free journey throughout the capital from age 60, with a £20 one-off payment.

Disabled bus passes stay free no matter age and in some areas permit a companion to journey free of charge.

Blue Badge holders may additionally be capable to get monetary savings on highway fees. They can get a 100% low cost on the London Congestion Charge by registering with TfL for a £10 one-off payment.

Some crossings additionally supply financial savings. The Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges present limitless free crossings for a £5 annual registration, whereas the Humber Bridge presents full exemption if registered upfront.

Coach journey will also be cheaper. The National Express Disabled Coachcard prices £15 a 12 months and offers one-third off fares, with no blackout dates over Easter and £15 midweek return fares accessible.