MILLIONS FACING SHOCK AS COST OF EVERYTHING GOES UP

£400-a-year rise in bills from next month

- GRAHAM HISCOTT

MILLIONS of households are heading for a £400-a-year bill shock from next month.

• There is no let-up in sight for very many struggling households

Increases in everything from energy and water to council tax, broadband and mobile prices will land all at once.

That is before other bills shoot up too, including vehicle excise duty, with some drivers being hit with a huge jump.

Elsewhere, TV subscription and stamp prices are both on the rise yet again, while shop price inflation could also pick up if retailers pass on higher costs.

Offsetting the pain for some will be an increase in the minimum wage and benefits.

Next month's increase in energy, water, and council tax alone will add £342 to the typical household's outgoings, taking the combined bill for all three to more than £4,700 on average over the next 12 months.