Martin Lewis Reveals How to Save Money on Four Major Price Hikes in April
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has detailed strategies to beat four significant price increases affecting British households next month. In his final show before a four-week hiatus, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com highlighted crucial information about water, mobile, broadband, and council tax bills, all set to rise from April 1.
Speaking on ITV1's Martin Lewis Money Show Live, he said: "You know they say 'April showers'? Well, when it comes to finances, April pees down on the nation with a whole raft of different price hikes. And the time generally to beat it is now." Here is a comprehensive breakdown of his advice from the broadcast.
Water Bills
Water bills in England and Wales are increasing from April 1, with the average bill rising by approximately 5.4% or £33 per year. However, installing a water meter can ensure you are not overpaying for your usage. Mr. Lewis explained that water meters are free in England and Wales, and using the Consumer Council for Water's website at ccw.org.uk provides a calculator to determine potential savings.
If a meter cannot be installed, such as in flats with shared pipes, request an assessed charge, which estimates what you would pay on a meter and may result in a lower bill. Additionally, four million homes are missing out on discounts, including social tariffs for lower-income households and the Watersure scheme, which can cap bills for those with medical conditions requiring higher water usage.
Council Tax
Council tax is set to rise by an average of around 5% in England, 4% in Wales, and 4 to 10% in Scotland. Discounts are available for those living alone, with under-18s, students, carers, or individuals with severe mental impairments. Low-income households may also qualify for reductions, which many are unaware of.
An estimated 400,000 households in England and Scotland are in the wrong council tax band. Mr. Lewis recommends using his 'Check and Challenge' system to verify your band and potentially secure savings.
Mobile Contracts
Mobile contract increases of around £2.50 per month are imminent. To combat this, Mr. Lewis suggests a three-step process to check if you are among the 14 million people out of contract and free to switch to better deals. First, text INFO to 85075 for free to confirm your status; if there are no early termination charges, you can switch.
Use comparison sites rather than providers directly, as cheaper deals are often exclusive to these platforms. Remember, only four networks exist in the UK—EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three—with other companies using their signals. To keep your number, text PAC to 65075 for a switching code, which might prompt your current provider to offer discounts up to 50% to retain you.
Broadband
Similar to mobile contracts, mid-contract broadband price rises are coming next month. Mr. Lewis advises using comparison sites to find affordable deals, as the cheapest options are primarily available through these platforms. By proactively checking and switching, households can mitigate the impact of these increases.
In summary, Martin Lewis emphasizes that acting now is key to saving money on these impending price hikes. From water meters to council tax discounts and mobile switching, his tips offer practical ways to reduce financial strain in April.
