As the tax year draws to a close, consumers should start preparing for price hikes to everyday goods and services. The costs of passport renewals, stamps and council tax are all expected to increase this year, as are TV licences and NHS prescriptions.
Here we list what is about to become more expensive – and the ways to get around the price rises.
Stamps: March 26
The price of postage will increase by 2p. This will take the cost of a first-class stamp from 65p to 67p, and a second-class stamp to 58p.
Sending a signed-for letter first class will cost £1.77, or £1.68 for second class. Avoid the price increase by stocking up on stamps now.
Passport renewals: March 27
Renewing a standard passport currently costs £72.50 whether you do so by post or online. However, next week the Government is hiking the price by £12.50 for the postal service, taking the cost to £85.
The price of online renewals will increase to £75.50 and from £46 to £49 for children’s passports. To renew your child’s passport by post you’ll pay £58.50.
If your passport expires before December 26, you can renew before March 27 at the lower cost, as up to nine months’ worth of travel time can be transferred to the new one.
The Home Office said it was changing the pricing model to “increase the use of online services”.
TV licences: April 1
If you own a colour television, your new licence will cost £150.50 from April, an increase of £3.50. Those with black-and-white sets will need to pay £50.50 instead of £49.50.
If you started a payment plan before April 1 2018 you’ll continue to pay your fee at the original cost of £147 until it comes to renew.
Alternatively you could consider entertainment options that don’t need a television licence, which is only required for watching or recording live television or using BBC iPlayer.
Services such as Netflix, Amazon and Now TV don’t require a licence and this could save you money.
For example, you can buy a basic Netflix subscription for £5.99 a month, or £71.88 a year – less than half the price of a television licence.
NHS prescriptions: April 1
The cost of prescriptions is rising from £8.60 to £8.80 per medicine in England.
But there will be no change to the price of prescription prepayment certificates (PPC), which allow you to get as many medicines as you need in a set period at a fixed price.
A three-month PPC is £29.10 and a 12-month one is £104. If you need two or more medicines you could save up to £300 a year if you opt for a 12-month PPC.
Wigs and fabric supports: April 1
There will be an increase in the cost of NHS wigs and fabric supports from April 1.
A stock modacrylic wig, made of synthetic hair, currently costs £70.15 but this will go up to £71.25.
Wigs partially made of human hair will cost £188.70 from April, an increase of £2.90. A full bespoke human hair wig costs £271.70 but this will rise to £275.95.
The price of surgical bras will go up 45p to £28.85 and abdominal or spinal supports will cost £43.60 instead of £42.95.
Wigs and fabric supports are free from a hospital if you live in Scotland or Wales and certain groups in England may not have to pay.
These include under 16s, under 19s in full-time education, those in receipt of certain benefits or on low income
Council tax: April 1
Nearly all local authorities will be increasing council tax this year, adding £100 or more to the average bill. How much you pay is based on the value of your property on April 1 1991, for England and Scotland, and April 1 2003 for Wales.
If you think you’re in the wrong band and may be paying too much council tax you can challenge this, but you’ll need to carry on paying while you contest your case. There are instructions on how to do so on the Government website.
Water bills: from April
Water bills are expected to rise by £9 to £405 a year, on average, although it depends on what area of the UK you live in. Households in the North West of England will be hit hardest with increases of £18 in 2018-19.
There are several ways to cut your water bill, from changing your lavatory cistern to installing a water meter (although this won’t be suitable for everyone). See here for more tips.
Childcare: from April
There isn’t a precise figure on this but experts suggest childcare fees will increase over the next few months.
Neil Leitch, of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, the education charity, said the majority of childcare providers are set to see “little to no increase” in the Government funding they receive in 2018-19.
This is despite a rise in business costs such as the national living wage, rents and pension contribution requirements.
Mr Leitch said this will force them to look for other ways to balance the books, which is likely to mean an increase in childcare fees.
Childcare costs for younger children, who usually aren’t eligible for Government-funded schemes are expected to be most effected, he added.
Mobile and broadband: from March 30
There are a number of telecoms firms pushing up costs this year. Mobile providers such as EE, Three, Vodafone and O2 have all confirmed they will be hiking their prices in line with inflation.
From March 30, EE customers will pay 4.1pc more for their contract each month. This is applicable to customers who signed up or upgraded to a pay-monthly or Sim-only contract between March 26 2014 and February 6 2018.
O2 is increasing its prices by 4pc in April and Three customers will pay 4pc more from May. Vodafone is raising the cost of its packages in April based on March’s inflation figures.
Millions of Sky customers will see the cost of broadband increase by £36 a year from April 1.
EE’s terms and conditions state that it can raise prices mid-contract.
Regarding the other providers, consumer group Which? said if the network failed to inform you about potential increases at the point of purchase then Ofcom rules allow you to leave free of charge.