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Six things that cost more from 1st April

A number of scheduled changes come into force from 1st April that impact your bank balance.

Here are the main ones you should know about.



NHS prescription charges

The NHS prescription charge in England will increase by 15p from £8.05 to £8.20 for a single item from 1st April.

However, the cost of a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) will be frozen. The three month certificate will remain at £29.10 and the annual certificate at £104.

Those that need four or more items over a three month period or 13 or more items in a year will benefit from getting a PPC.

Prescriptions are free of charge in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

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NHS dental charges

NHS dental charges are also rising from 1st April in England and Wales.

The basic Band 1 course of treatment in England will go up 30p from £18.50 to £18.80 while in Wales it will increase 50p from £13 to £13.50.

While the Band 2 course of treatment in England will rise by 80p from £50.50 to £51.30 while those in Wales will see a hike of £1 from £42 to £43.

And a Band 3 course of treatment in England is going up by £3.50 from £219 to £222.50 and in Wales by £4.10 from £10.90 to £185.

Those in Scotland will see a rise of 1.61% later in June.



NHS wig and fabric charges

The cost of NHS wigs and fabric supports are rising by 1.6% from the beginning of April too.

Following the changes a surgical brassiere will set you back £27.45, an abdominal or spinal support will cost £41.50, a stock modacrylic wig will be £67.75, a partial human hair wig will cost £179.45 and a full, bespoke human hair wig will set you back £262.45.

[Seven things to do before the end of the tax year]



NHS optical vouchers

The value of NHS optical vouchers, which are available to children, those on low incomes or with complex sight problems is being increased by 1% from the beginning of April.

The change means vouchers will be available from £38.70 up to £213.40 depending on the type of glasses or contact lenses required.



Vehicle Excise Duty

Otherwise known as road tax, Vehicle Excise Duty for cars, vans and motorcycles will also be increasing by the RPI rate of inflation from 1st April.



Air Passenger Duty

This is levied on flights from UK airports, and will also increase by the RPI rate of inflation from 1st April.

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