Every family invoice that elevated in 2025 beneath Rachel Reeves | UK | News | EUROtoday

UK Households have confronted a plethora of worth hikes this yr, from council tax to vitality payments, leaving many struggling to stability their budgets. However, specialists warn that the cost-of-living disaster just isn’t over, as they urge Labour to extend focused help to those that want it.

Earlier this yr, Britons confronted the wrath of the “Awful April” worth hikes mixed with excessive vitality prices, which noticed the common family face an annual enhance of £1,254 from important invoice rises, in keeping with figures from comparability website Uswitch.

Most areas in England noticed council tax payments rise by 5% – the utmost quantity permitted – with some together with Birmingham, Bradford, Newham, Somerset, Trafford, and Windsor & Maidenhead granted particular permission to go even greater. Water payments elevated by a mean £123 per yr – the most important rise for the reason that business was privatised in 1989.

Broadband and cellphone payments additionally rose whereas the price of a TV licence and the usual price of automotive tax each elevated by £5 – with electrical automobiles now not exempt.

Meanwhile, Ofgem’s vitality worth cap – which units payments for households nonetheless on commonplace variable tariffs moderately than fastened offers sought out independently – began the yr at £1,738 for the common family and can finish it at £1,755 earlier than it rises to £1,758 on January 1.

Citizens Advice chief govt Dame Clare Moriarty stated: “The cost-of-living crisis is not over. Stubbornly high bills and increasing living costs mean four million people are in a negative budget, meaning they can’t afford essentials like energy bills, rent, or food.

“Our advisers see the impact of these punishingly high costs every day. People come to us feeling like they’re constantly fighting to stay afloat but, despite their best efforts, are sinking further into the red.

“Everyone should be able to afford the essentials and that’s why better targeted support is crucial. We want the Government to increase Local Housing Allowance to help those struggling with their rent and improve bill support to ensure sky-high utility costs, like energy and water, don’t continue to stretch household budgets beyond breaking point.”

Uswitch spokeswoman Sabrina Hoque added: “Pressure points have been widespread. Energy debt hit an eight-year high in October, with households now owing £780 million to their suppliers. The strain is so severe that more than two million homes say they won’t turn on their heating this winter – a fifth higher than last year.

“Similarly, mobile and broadband bills have been a key area of concern, with average annual jumps of £21.99 for broadband and £15.90 for mobile. In the last few months, we have seen nearly every major provider announce updated price rise rates for new customers, with monthly increases going up to as much as £4.”

She added: “For many broadband and mobile customers, bills are set to rise again in April 2026. If you are out of contract or your deal is set to expire ahead of April, it is time to take action. Out-of-contract rates tend to be more expensive, and you could save an average of £203 a year by switching to a new broadband deal.”