The one 'luxury' 59% of Brits are cutting back on as bills skyrocket in 'Awful April'

UK households are having to cut back on several 'luxuries' this month as Brits contend with staggering rises in bills and taxes

'Awful April' has arrived, and it's brought with it a raft of rising bills and taxes that are causing UK households to readdress their lifestyles.

Most councils in England can now put up their tax by the maximum amount of 4.99%, while the annual bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity rose to £1,849 per year, an increase of £111.

Water bills have also gone up in England and Wales by an average of £123 per year, or £10 per month.

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Due to all of this, Brits are cutting their spending on conveniences.

Aqua surveyed 2,017 Brits to find out what the top convenience costs are, how much these are costing, and how many people are actually aware of how much money they sacrifice for convenience.

It found that Brits are cutting back on online spending first, with 59% reducing how often they order online rather than shopping in-store.

Food and drink convenience is also a major focus, as many are cutting back on takeaways (56%), buying lunch out (49%), and takeaway coffee or soft drinks (47%).

Transport and services are also impacted in Brits' budgets, with 38% spending less on taxis or Ubers and 29% cutting back on professional services.

Sharvan Selvam, Commercial Director at Aqua, said: "When the cost of small, everyday conveniences are combined, they can really add up over time. It’s clear that people are becoming more conscious of these 'convenience costs."

“To save money, try making a few simple changes. Set a monthly budget for convenience costs like entertainment and shopping, and prioritise your most essential expenses.

"Before buying anything you don’t really need, give yourself 24 hours to think about it to make sure it’s really something that you need or want.

"Set automatic payments for your regular bills but pay for subscriptions manually so you can check if you still use them."

“Finally, use a budgeting app to track recurring charges and spot any hidden fees, so you can cancel things you’re not using. These small changes can help you cut back on unnecessary spending.”