All the key financial changes affecting millions of people in April with some starting tomorrow
dailyrecord.co.ukApril is a month of financial change bringing with it energy price hikes, a rise to benefits delivered by both the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), increases to the National Living Wage, Council Tax and National Insurance Contribution deductions.But there’s a lot more happening this month including a £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate for all Scottish households in bands A to D, plus those on higher bands already receiving a reduction on their annual bill.As the cost of living crisis continues to put even more pressure on household finances, here are the key changes coming in April - and something important you need to do before midnight on March 31.This is something Martin Lewis has been encouraging everyone to do before the Ofgem energy price hike kicks in on April 1.He suggests taking it in the evening and registering it with your supplier to ensure your future estimated monthly Direct Debits are accurate and not over-inflated.Even if you have a smart meter, which will automatically capture and register it, the consumer champion advises that you take a picture and send it to yourself so that it has a timestamp - just in case you need to query something later with your energy firm.Earlier this year, Martin Lewis also highlighted that from January 31, 2023, millions of Royal Mail first or second class stamps with the Queen’s head on them will be replaced by ones that contain a barcode alongside it.The consumer champion explained how from March 31, anyone who has any of these stamps will be able to swap them for the new barcoded versions.This initiative, which Royal Mail has dubbed the ‘Swap Out’ scheme, starts today and will close on March 31, 2023.To swap them over, Martin
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