Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

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.

uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

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.

More For You

Badenoch says Tories must work hard to win May polls

Kemi Badenoch

Badenoch says Tories must work hard to win May polls

Simon Finlay

CONSERVATIVE leader Kemi Badenoch made her second visit to Kent in six weeks, declaring her party can cling onto power at the county council elections on May 1.

However, Badenoch, who was in the county on Tuesday (22) to meet a farmer impacted by the government’s changes to inheritance tax, insisted “we are going to have to work hard for it”. Eighty one seats are up for grabs at Kent County Council (KCC) next week.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-meeting

In the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, PM Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security in Delhi on Wednesday. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

X/@narendramodi

India suspends Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan after Kashmir attack

INDIA has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan and taken other diplomatic measures after gunmen killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

The attack, which left 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali dead, is the deadliest targeting civilians in Kashmir in 25 years. Gunmen emerged from forests and fired on the crowd using automatic weapons.

Keep ReadingShow less
Comment: ‘Time to move English pride beyond the football pitch’

A St George’s Day parade in Gravesend

Comment: ‘Time to move English pride beyond the football pitch’

ST GEORGE’S DAY – England’s national day on Wednesday (23) – raises the question of whether we could celebrate England more.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer will mark the occasion with a reception in Downing Street. He told his candidates not to “flinch” from flying the St George’s flag last year, though Labour tends to place more emphasis on the Union Jack in England.

Keep ReadingShow less
kashmir attack

Indian security forces personnel escort an ambulance carrying the bodies of tourists who were killed in the attack near Pahalgam, outside the police control room in Srinagar.

Reuters

India hunts gunmen as world condemns deadly Kashmir attack

INDIAN security forces launched a major search operation on Wednesday, a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists in Kashmir, killing 26 people. The attack was the deadliest on civilians in the region since 2000.

Prime minister Narendra Modi, who returned early from a state visit to Saudi Arabia, condemned the attack and said the attackers “will be brought to justice.”

Keep ReadingShow less