Sadly, there's not much to laugh about this April Fool's Day. From April 1, energy, council, and broadband, as well as prescription drug charges, are set to rise.
Though customers with Virgin Media and O2 face a particularly punishing increase of 17.3%, or even up to 25%, as these companies rely on the higher retail price index.
This stealth ‘broadband tax’ will total more than £377,000,000 this year alone in a tax high enough to cover Scotland’s entire NHS budget, research by Rebel Internet found.Six in 10 broadband customers cannot understand the justification for the hike, which is up to 3.9% above the current rate of inflation, the research form the broadband company said.
How much people pay for their prescriptions on the NHS is also set to rise by 30p, from £9.35 to £9.65.The cost of prescription pre-payment certificates – that make the cost of medicines a little cheaper for a few months – is rising too. A three-month PPC is going up from £30.25 to £31.25, and a year-long PPC will rise from £108.10 to £111.60.Stamp prices are – you guessed it – on the up. A first-class stamp is going from 95p to £1.10 from April 3, while second-class from 68p to 75p
Tomorrow has been dubbed ‘April Fuels Day’ by campaigners such as Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.
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