Energy, water, council tax, transport, and broadband costs are all set to rise, adding further strain to residents already struggling with the cost of living.

As April approaches, London residents are bracing themselves for a wave of financial pressures, with multiple bills set to rise across various sectors. From energy and water prices to council tax, transport fares, broadband, and mobile bills, many will see their outgoings increase, adding to the already heavy cost-of-living burden.

The energy price cap is expected to rise by £111 on average, which will increase household energy bills by 6.4% starting April 1. This follows a spike in wholesale energy prices, exacerbated by cold weather and reduced renewable energy generation. Households on standard variable tariffs are advised to explore alternative deals and discounts.

Additionally, water bills for Thames Water customers are set to rise by 31%, with some households facing an annual bill increase of up to £203. Across England and Wales, average water bills will rise by 26%, the most significant hike since the privatisation of the water industry.

Council tax is also going up, with 22 of London’s 33 boroughs seeing band D bills exceeding £2,000. The average increase in council tax across the capital is around £90, with some areas, such as Kingston, experiencing bills approaching £2,500.

Public transport fares are not spared, with Tube and rail fares set to increase by an average of 4.6% in March. While bus and tram fares remain frozen, the increased revenue will be reinvested into Transport for London (TfL) services.

In the telecommunications sector, both broadband and mobile prices are rising, with customers of Vodafone, EE, and Sky facing increases ranging from £1.50 to £4 per month. Sky’s broadband and TV package customers can expect an average hike of 6.2% starting April 1.

Finally, alcohol duties have already seen an increase earlier this month, with new tax structures raising prices on wines and spirits, particularly those with higher alcohol content.

Charities have voiced concern about the combined effect of these price hikes, warning that they will significantly impact vulnerable households, including those with children and those already in debt.