Life News

April price changes: Britain's bill rises and Japan's 2,798 food hikes

April is when many household prices reset, and this year outlets in Britain and Japan counted the changes. In the UK, The Irish News, carrying a Press Association report, said the average Band D council tax bill in England rises to £2,392, up £111 or 4.9%, and that water bills in England and Wales go up by an average of 5.4%, about £33 a year. It listed broadband rises of £4 a month at BT, EE, Plusnet and Virgin Media. One bill falls: the Ofgem energy price cap drops 7%, from £1,758 to £1,641 a year, though the paper warned bills could rise from July because of the Middle East conflict.

Consumer group Which? added the smaller items: the TV licence rises from £174.50 to £180, and a first-class stamp from £1.70 to £1.80 from 7 April.

"Check whether you qualify for a discount – like the 25% single-person reduction" — Ruby Flanagan, via Which?

In Japan, Japan Today reported a Teikoku Databank count of 2,798 food items getting more expensive in April, the first month in six with more than 2,000 increases, led by 1,514 condiments such as mayonnaise and dressings. Jiji Press noted the total is 33.8% lower than a year earlier and named makers including Nissin Food Products, raising prices on about 170 items.

How each outlet framed it

• The Irish News — the big household bills, with averages from government and regulators.
• Which? — a checklist of every change plus tips to cut costs.
• Japan Today — the food categories hit and the role of packaging costs and the weak yen.
• Jiji Press — the year-on-year slowdown and which brands are moving.

What we don't know yet: Both countries' reports point to the second half of the year. Teikoku Databank warned makers may rush to raise prices again because of oil, and UK forecasts point to a higher energy cap in July.