Household budgets are likely to be further stretched in the first week of April, as dozens of items including water bills, council tax, NHS charges, and some broadband and energy charges all rise. Those on welfare will feel the squeeze especially, as payment rates are frozen for the second year in succession, and the generosity of some benefits are reduced. However, those in work are likely to become better off, as tax rates become more generous, and the National Living Wage

The various rates of the national minimum wage (NMW) will increase with effect from the 1st October 2016. What are the new rates and from when do you apply the increases? From 1st October 2016 the NMW rates will rise as follows: The standard (adult) rate for workers aged 21 to 24 will increase from £6.70 to £6.95 per hour. The development rate for workers aged 18 to 20 will increase from £5.30 to £5.55 per hour. The young workers rate for those aged 16 to 17 will increase fro