Hertfordshire Citizens Advice warns rising could push households "over the edge"
Several household bills, including council tax and water, rise from today
A Citizens Advice in Hertfordshire is warning that many households are already stretched, and that rising bills could push some "over the edge".
Hikes to council tax, water, broadband and mobile phone costs are set to take effect from today, in what is being called another “awful April”.
Nationally, Citizens Advice says its helping someone every 30 seconds with crisis support – that’s food bank referrals and charitable grants. And average debt owed is hitting record levels.
Catherine Bennet from the charity’s North Hertfordshire branch said: “The main problem is that people are literally spending every penny that they've got coming in, so there's nothing spare.
“All it takes is something to go wrong unexpectedly or an unexpected bill to come in, and that's what tips you over the edge.
“It's just a really difficult time for everyone and the cost of living is impacting everyone.”
Adding: “Make sure you get help early and make sure you pay the bills that we call priority bills, such as housing, energy, and council tax.
Across England, the average Band D council tax in 2026/27 will be £2,392 – an increase of £111 or 4.9% on 2025-26, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
The figures include all additional charges, including adult social care, parish precepts and costs levied by police, fire and regional authorities where appropriate.
It is the fourth year in a row that the England-wide increase has averaged around 5%.
Household water bills across England and Wales are to rise by an average of 5.4%, equating to £33 a year for the average household.
Although, the price most households pay for energy will fall by 7% from April 1, driven by promised Government cuts to bills.
Ofgem’s price cap will drop from the current £1,758 to £1,641 – a reduction of £117 or around £10 a month for the average household using both electricity and gas.
However, the reduction is lower than the average £150 cut to bills pledged by the Chancellor in November.
Despite this, it is of increasing concern that energy bills could rise by from July as a result of the Middle East conflict, with latest predictions suggesting this could be by well over £300 a year.
Ms Bennet is urging households to investigate fixed rate deals, saying “if you are worried about your energy bills going up later in the summer it could be worth, if you want certainty, looking at getting on a fixed deal now.”