Energy bills, Council Tax, streaming services and the TV licence are set to rise in April.
Glasgow to raise council tax by 7.5% to clean up city
Households across the country are set to see outgoings increase from April due to rises in energy costs, broadband, streaming services and Council Tax bills. However, thousands of people could be missing out on additional financial support through unclaimed benefits or discounts from their local council.
If you’ve been dealt a financial blow, or your domestic situation has changed, setting aside 10 minutes to use one of the free and confidential online benefit calculators could give you a much-needed income boost this Spring. An online benefits calculator isn’t a magic wand to wave away money worries, but it can give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much you could be eligible to claim – but it’s up to you to actually make the application.
The annual energy bill for a household on a variable tariff using a typical amount of gas and electricity will go up by 6.4 per cent or an average £111 a year to £1,849 from April 1. The cap is set every three months and limits the amount suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity, but not the total bill, so if you use more, you will pay more – contact your supplier directly to see if you can switch to a cheaper tariff or use an online comparison website to shop around for a better deal.
READ MORE: Charity urges people to check for Council Tax discount before higher bills start in AprilREAD MORE: Martin Lewis urges four million people on benefits to check for ‘special’ £20 broadband deals
Council Tax bills are set to rise in Scotland by as much as 13 per cent for the 2025/26 financial year while water bills are going up by nearly 10 per cent. However, people on a low income, student households and those with a disability or caring responsibilities may be unaware of the Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is only available in Scotland.
The latest figures from the Scottish Government show 460,560 recipients were eligible for Council Tax Reduction in October 2024, saving an average of over £850 a year. Find out more here.
Broadband and mobile phone
The majority of customers who took out a contract before April 10, 2024 will face an increase of 6.4 per cent, based on the inflation rate last December and an additional charge.
To offset the price hike, see if you can switch to a cheaper package by haggling with your provider. If you’re near the end of your contract, check out the latest online deals before contacting them and asking them to match it – or go elsewhere. Just be aware of early exit fees, so do your research before making a move.
If you’re on a low income and on certain benefits, you may be able to switch to a social tariff, these start as low as £12.50 each month – full details here.
TV licence
The cost of a TV licence will also go up by £5 to £174.50, and for a black and white TV it will go up by £1.50 to £58.50.
If you, or someone in your household, is registered blind/severely sight impaired, you can claim a discount of 50 per cent. This will bring the cost down to £87.25. Find out if you can claim a discount on the TV licensing website here.
Car tax
From April, the standard rate of road tax for cars registered after April 2017 rises £5 to £195 a year. The exact amount will depend on the year your car was registered and the type of fuel it uses.
Also, electric vehicles (EVs) will no longer be exempt from tax. EVs registered from April 2025 will pay the lowest rate of £10 in the first year, then move to the standard rate. The standard rate will also apply to EVs first registered after April 2017.
The Scottish Government’s Cost of Living Support Scotland website also offers a ‘one stop shop’ to help households and individuals quickly check for additional financial support – find out more here.
Who should check for unclaimed benefits or discounts?
There is a wide range of benefits and payments available you should check for.
You should check if:
- you are temporarily unable to work, including because of ill health
- you are of working age on a low income
- You are over State Pension age on a low income
- you have been made redundant
- you are looking for work
- you are raising a family
- you have a child who is disabled or has a health condition
- you are disabled or have a health condition
- you’re caring for someone
- you have lost a loved one
What is an online benefits calculator?
Online benefit calculators quickly work out if you are missing out on any benefits and best of all, they are completely free, independent and confidential to use – so there’s nothing to lose.
In just a few minutes you could find out how much you may be able to claim in extra support, just by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your working status and any savings you have.
You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out:
- What benefits you could get
- How to claim
- How your benefits will be affected if you start work
Where to find help
Advice Direct Scotland
- This online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits including Scottish Child Payment and Adult or Child Disability Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Find out more here.
The benefits calculators below provide information on income-related benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
What you will need before you start
Gather the following information before you start and the whole process should just take about 10 minutes:
- Savings
- Income, including your partner’s
- Existing benefits and pensions – including anyone living with you
- Outgoings – such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments
- Your latest Council Tax bill
