Britons are being hit with a series of household bill increases in what has been nicknamed "awful April."

Budgets are set to be squeezed across the country, as council tax, energy bills and water tariffs are among those set to be increased.

However, there is set to be an increase in the minimum wage and a rise in the majority of benefits.

The average annual energy bill will rise to £1,849 as industry regulator Ofgem increases the price cap for the third time in a row.

Single parents are reportedly set to be hit the worst

Household bills will be increased from today PA

Households in England and Wales will see their water bills increase by an "extortionate" average of £86 over the next year alone.

Regulator Ofwat has allowed companies to raise average bills by 36 per cent, or £157 in total, over the next five years, to £597 by 2030, to help finance a £104 billion upgrade for the sector.

Millions of households will see a jump in their annual council tax bills from April 1, with most local authorities in England increasing a typical band D bill by five per cent, an increase of £109 to £2,280 from the 2024-25 figure of £2,171, although some councils have permission to impose hikes of up to 10 per cent.

They are Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, Newham in east London, Bradford in West Yorkshire, Birmingham, Somerset, and Trafford in Greater Manchester.

Ofwat has said 'most' water companies will need to return around £193million to customers GETTY

Energy bills are among a number of outgoings which have soared

The price of a standard colour TV licence rise by £5 to £174.50 a year. The price of a black and white licence will also go up from £57 to £58.50. You can claim a free TV licence if you are 75 or older and claim pension credit, or live with a partner who receives the benefit.

The standard rate of tax for cars registered after April 2017 will rise to £195 from the start of April, an increase of £5. Some owners may pay more, or less, if their car was first registered before 2017.

The rate is dependent on when a car was first registered and the type of fuel it consumes.