UK’s “Awful April”: Household Bills Rise by Over £200 on Average! Minimum Wage Increased to £12.71! King’s Speech Set for May 13
- TBA
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
National living wage rate rises 4.1%
From April 1, the UK’s minimum wage has been increased at a rate above inflation. The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over has risen from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour. Meanwhile, from April 6, statutory sick pay (SSP) will be payable from the first day of employment.
Under the new rules, the National Minimum Wage for those aged 18 to 20 has increased by 8.5%, rising from £10 to £10.85 per hour, further narrowing the gap with the National Living Wage.
The changes mean that a full-time worker earning the minimum wage will see their annual income increase by around £1,500. This marks further progress in the UK government’s plan to phase out age-based wage bands for 18- to 20-year-olds and move toward a unified adult wage rate.
For full-time employees on the National Living Wage, annual earnings will rise by approximately £900. Those on the National Minimum Wage will see an increase of about £1,500, bringing total annual earnings to £24,784.50 based on a 37.5-hour work week.
According to data from the UK Department for Education, this level is slightly below the median graduate salary of £26,500 and close to the income threshold at which student loan repayments begin.
Accounting and advisory firm BDO noted that while the cost increases for businesses may not be as steep as those seen in April 2025, the wage hike will still pose challenges—particularly for sectors such as retail and hospitality, which employ large numbers of younger workers. Companies required to pay the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) levy may also face higher contributions unless their total payroll, including subcontractors, falls below £150,000.
At the same time, significant reforms to the Statutory Sick Pay system will take effect from April 6. The new rules remove both the minimum earnings threshold and the waiting period, meaning employees will be eligible for sick pay from the first day of illness, rather than from the fourth day as previously required. In addition, paternity leave and unpaid parental leave will become day-one rights.
In the 2026–27 tax year, all eligible employees—regardless of income—will qualify for SSP from the first day of sickness. Payments will be set at 80% of average weekly earnings or £123.25 per week, whichever is lower. The government estimates that this policy will increase employer costs by around £420 million annually.
These reforms will also coincide with the launch of a new regulator, the Fair Work Agency, on April 7.
The agency will consolidate several existing labour enforcement bodies, including the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, and HMRC’s minimum wage enforcement team. It will have broad powers to inspect workplaces, impose penalties, initiate civil proceedings, and recover costs from employers.
King’s Speech set for 13 May for legislative plans
The King’s Speech is scheduled to take place on May 13. This will be King Charles III’s third such address and will mark the formal opening of a new parliamentary session.
On the day, the King will visit Parliament and deliver the speech in the House of Lords, setting out the government’s legislative programme for the next 12 months. The address will outline proposed new bills as well as ongoing legislation, providing a clear indication of policy priorities for the upcoming parliamentary year.
According to earlier reports, the government has abandoned plans for an Audit Reform Bill and will instead focus on reducing regulatory burdens on businesses and cutting red tape, rather than introducing additional constraints.
UK parliamentary sessions typically last around 12 months, although they may be extended following a general election.
The date for the prorogation of Parliament—marking the end of the current session—has not yet been announced. Any bills that fail to complete all required stages in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords before the session ends will not become law. Unless they are formally carried over into the next session, such bills must restart the legislative process from the beginning.
It is understood that more than 50 bills will be introduced during the upcoming session. Key areas of focus include strengthening renters’ rights, reforming planning laws to accelerate housebuilding, bringing railways into public ownership, and enhancing workers’ rights.
All the bills going up in April as households face over £200 in extra costs
As April 2026 arrives, the UK enters a new financial year, bringing with it the annual wave of rising household bills. This period is often referred to by financial experts as “Awful April,” and against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East—which may drive up energy prices—this year’s increases feel particularly sensitive. Data shows that the average UK household’s essential expenses are set to rise by £214 in 2026, further intensifying cost-of-living pressures.
Although benefits, the state pension, and the minimum wage are all set to increase in April—expected to benefit millions of households—official figures indicate that wage growth remains weak. Between November last year and January this year, wage growth recorded its slowest rate in five years. Around 62% of people in the UK are concerned that their current income will not be sufficient to cover rising expenses.
Council tax increases: average rise of £109
Most local authorities in England have announced a 4.99% increase in council tax, the maximum allowed without central government approval. Some areas have imposed even higher increases, with Shropshire, Worcestershire, and North Somerset seeing rises of up to 8.99%.
Water bills: average increase of around £32
Annual household water bills are set to rise by an average of about £33, exceeding the rate of inflation and continuing to fuel public dissatisfaction over sewage pollution issues. The largest increases are seen among customers of suppliers in the North West (around £57), as well as companies such as Southern Water.
TV licence fee: increase of £5.50
The TV licence fee will rise from £174.50 to £180. This fee is legally required for watching or recording live television broadcasts. Those aged over 75 who meet certain conditions may qualify for a free licence.
Broadband and mobile bills: average increase of £67
Most telecom providers will raise their monthly charges, resulting in an average annual increase of about £67.20. However, experts note that consumers may still reduce costs by switching plans or providers.There is some rare positive news on energy costs. The UK energy regulator, Ofgem, has announced that the energy price cap for April to June 2026 will fall to £1,641, a decrease of about 7%, equivalent to an average saving of £117.
However, due to potential energy cost increases driven by Middle East tensions, the price cap could rise sharply again from July—by nearly £300.
Overall, despite some increases in income and benefits, the simultaneous rise in multiple household bills means that UK households are likely to face significant financial pressure in the new financial year.
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