FAMILIES will today be around £4,000 worse off as they’re hit by a fresh round of bill hikes, it is claimed.
Tories released analysis showing most of the employer’s National Insurance increase will be passed on to workers through lower wages.
That will wallop households for £3,536 over the course of this Parliament, along with other eye-watering rises on a string of household bills that could hit Scots families for more than £500 a year extra.
Citizens Advice Scotland’s David Hilferty said: “The fact so many bills are going up significantly on the same day is hugely concerning.”
And Tory MSP Craig Hoy hit out: “April Fool’s Day will feel like a sick joke to hard-pressed Scots facing a financial assault from two high-tax, left-wing governments.
“The SNP Government’s chronic underfunding of local authorities means that Scots, already taxed more than any other part of the UK, face inflation-busting council tax and water bill rises.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, seen out jogging on Monday, came under fire for the NICs rise plus the energy price cap increase of £111 per year for a typical home — despite Labour vowing to cut charges over the parliament.
The TV licence is increasing by £5 to £174.50 and standard rate car tax is also up by a fiver to £195.
Phone and broadband charges are set to send bills up by an average of £21.99 a year for those on inflation-linked contracts and £42 for those on newer plans
And the Scottish Government has been blamed for fuelling the cost-of-living pinch with the biggest council tax hikes for decades — of up to 15.6 per cent.
Scottish Water is also raising charges by 9.9 per cent, or an average of £44 per year.
And ScotRail is increasing train fares by 3.8 per cent today.
Scottish Lib Dem economy spokesman Willie Rennie said: “This is going to hurt.
“Both Labour and the SNP have made the wrong decisions, now everyone is paying the price.”
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: “Voters are being taken for an April fool by Keir Starmer, who has broken his promise to cut bills.”
Labour said it was “taking tough action to tackle the cost of living” including raising the minimum wage.
It pointed to protecting the state pensions triple-lock, and freezing fuel duty to save the average driver nearly £60 a month.
ONE of Katie Price’s I’m A Celebrity and Big Brother co-stars has said the star has ‘ruined her appearance.’
The former glamour model had her sixth facelift last year, and is famously no stranger to cosmetic surgery.
She was also recently revealed to have been discharged of her bankruptcies, despite a £750,000 debt.
And now, the star’s former co-star has had her say on Katie’s recent life events, after starring on the show together back in 2004.
Kim Woodburn, 83, said of the 46-year-old: “Do you know I’ve worked with Katie Price on many occasions because we worked together on Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, and I’ve met her on other shows.
“To me, she’s always been polite and lovely. But she can’t do right for doing wrong, can she? Bless her.
“When you work with her, she’s extremely unoffensive. She was always nice to me. But I’m sad for her, because she’s ruined her appearance, and she’s ruined all the money that she’s ever earned.”
Since being cleared of her bankruptcy, Katie has been working harder than ever in order to get back in the tax man’s good books.
But it appears Kim is not convinced, as she added to Casino.org: “The poor girl, I think she’s gone loop-the-loop. What the hell have you done to yourself, Katie? And as for this bankruptcy, well, if you can get away with it, then jolly good luck to her.
“A friend of mine went bankrupt and lost everything. Katie, how do you do it, dear? Do you flash your knockers to get away with it? What’s your secret? Write a book about it, dear! It would sell!”
Katie’s also moved out of her new pad in West Sussex, after selling off her infamous “Mucky Mansion” after years of trouble with the “haunted” property.
The 46-year-old mum-of-five later revealed to The Sun that she’s earning £50,000 a month – although a judge ordered her to pay 40% of her monthly income from adult entertainment website OnlyFans until February 2027.
She’s noted she plans to have £100million by the time she’s 55.
A source said at the time of the bankruptcy being discharged: “Kate has been through hell and feels like an enormous weight has been lifted off her shoulders.
“This has been hanging over her like the sword of Damocles – and now she is free to re-set, and try and remake her lost millions. If anyone can do it, it’s The Pricey.”
“She has 2.7million followers on Instagram and can charge thousands for a post or story – she also has plans for an underwear range and perfume one,” said the source.
“In addition, Katie hopes to sign a lucrative deal with OnlyFans to produce an AI version of herself.
“It’s a no-brainer, passive income and could make her around £15,000 a month extra – for very little work.”
DAVID Beckham kicks off the celebrations for his 50th next month with a star-studded party in Miami.
The ex-footballer posed at Cipriani restaurant with wife Victoria, 50, newly blonde daughter Harper, 13, sons Romeo, 22, and Cruz, 20, Romeo’s girlfriend Kim, 23, and Cruz’s girlfriend Jackie, 29.
Eldest son Brooklyn was not seen.
Designer Victoria wrote on Instagram: “Way to begin the first of many celebrations for David, surrounded by friends and family, x.
“Kisses from Miami!”
The black-tie party was also attended by footie ace Lionel Messi and Victoria’s Spice Girl pal Mel B.
Becks is one of the famous faces to wish the women in his life a “Happy Mother’s Day”.
Sharing an unseen snap of wife Victoria, David penned: “I’m so lucky to have so many incredible women around me who are the most amazing Mum’s.
“I learn from you every single day.
“Happy Mother’s Day @victoriabeckham @sandra_beckham49 @jackie.adams_ We Love You so much.”
He then continued: “Kiddies are so lucky to have a mum like yours @brooklynpeltzbeckham @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #HarperSeven.”
Meanwhile, Victoria also wished her mum, Jackie Adams, and David’s mum, Sandra Beckham, a Happy Mother’s Day, with touching posts shared on her Instagram stories.