April bill increases put financial strain on single parents
Citizens Advice stated that many low-income households were already struggling, with single parents particularly vulnerable due to the proportion of income spent on essentials.
Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)
Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.
Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.
Citizens Advice stated that many low-income households were already struggling, with single parents particularly vulnerable due to the proportion of income spent on essentials.
Laura Roan, a single mother from Cardiff, told BBC that without help from her mother, there would be days when she would not have electricity.
Roan, who works part-time at Asda, said she relies on emergency credit for her energy meter and frequently uses her overdraft. She said she lives day to day as her wages are quickly spent.
Water bills are rising in England and Wales, with Scottish increases close to 10 per cent.
Annual energy bills for typical households in England, Wales, and Scotland are increasing by £111, while council tax is also going up.
John Paine, a single father of three, said he had £100 left after bills, which goes quickly.
NHS worker Bradley Bayton-Harvey said despite working 200 hours a month, he and his partner struggle financially.
While benefits and pensions are set to rise, experts suggest switching providers to cut costs. Some banks plan to contact struggling customers to offer support.
AN AFGHAN man was on Friday found guilty of making a threat to kill Nigel Farage in a TikTok video. Farage is the leader of Reform UK, which currently leads opinion polls in Britain.
Fayaz Khan, 26, was convicted by a jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court of one count of making a threat to kill Farage in a video posted in October 2024.
Prosecutors said Khan uploaded the video in response to one posted by Farage. In his clip, Khan – who has an AK-47 assault rifle tattooed on his face – said “pop, pop, pop” while making gun gestures.
Farage told the court on Tuesday that he was “genuinely worried” after seeing the video, which he described as “chilling.”
Khan will be sentenced next week for the threat to kill, as well as for entering Britain illegally, a charge he has already admitted.
Farage in the witness box
Farage had earlier posted a YouTube video in which he spoke about “young males of fighting age coming into our country.” The video included clips from Khan’s social media posts showing his journey from Sweden to Britain.
Two days later, Khan posted a response, saying, “Englishman Nigel, don’t talk shit about me,” while making gun gestures and headbutting the camera.
Farage said his public role often attracts criticism. “Abuse is part of public life, (but) that’s not something that I’m used to seeing,” he said.
“Given his proximity to guns and love of guns, I was genuinely, genuinely worried,” Farage added.
Khan’s lawyer, Charles Royle, told Farage that the video “suits your narrative.” Farage replied, “It doesn’t suit my narrative, it’s a fact.”
Khan denied the charge and told police after his arrest that the video was not a real threat, saying he played a character in his social media videos. However, the jury found him guilty by a 10-2 majority.
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