Brits have been told how they can save hundreds, with household bills set to rise. TotallyMoney is urging people to cut costs on everyday bills, with millions eligible for simple switches.

Energy bills are falling from April 1, but are expected to rise by £332 per year from July, many broadband providers are hiking prices by almost £50 per year, water bills are rising to an average of £639 per year (up to £759 in some areas) and most councils are hiking council tax by 4.99%, with some rising by more than 8%.

However, in a bid to save Brits cash, James McCaffrey, TotallyMoney spokesperson, said that “loyalty doesn’t pay, but switching can”. Energy bills are expected to rise from July due to the war in the Middle East.

He said: “With around 22 million households on their supplier’s Standard Variable Rate, most are paying the maximum allowed by the regulator. Check your current contract, and if you haven’t switched in the past year, it’s likely you’ll be free to leave – and you could save up to £917.”

James also recommended that Brits review their broadband contracts, with one in four out of contract and paying up to £9 per month more than those in contract.

BT, EE, Plusnet and Virgin Media are all hiking broadband prices by £4 a month, Sky by £3, and Vodafone by £3.50 – adding nearly £50 more per year to bills.

He said: “If you’re out of contract, then you’re free to leave and find a better deal. If you want to stay with your current provider, pick up your phone and haggle for a new deal. They won’t want to lose you to a competitor, and should offer you a better deal.”

Another way to save is by checking your phone contract by texting ‘INFO’ to 85075, and you’ll receive a message telling you if you’re free to leave.

James said: “Loyalty doesn’t pay, and smaller network providers will often offer better deals at lower prices. And if you’re not happy with your new network, you’ll have a minimum of 14 days to cancel without paying a penalty.”

The average water bill is rising by £33 to £639 a year, but some areas will see much bigger increases, with Southern Water customers paying the highest average bill at £759.

The expert said: “Unlike energy, you can’t switch water suppliers. But if you’re looking to cut costs, it might be worth applying to have a water meter installed.

“If your provider can’t install one, they must offer you an ‘assessed charge’, which could save you money. Around 2.5 million households are also eligible for social tariffs, with average discounts of around 40%.”

Council tax can also be something Brits don’t know they can get a discount on. Most councils in England are hiking council tax by the maximum 4.99%, with seven councils given permission to exceed the cap, including North Somerset and Shropshire, which are nearly 9%. In Scotland, some councils are pushing through rises of up to 10%.

James said: “If you live alone, you’re entitled to a 25% discount, while full-time students can be fully exempt. Those on low incomes can apply for a reduction of up to 100%, and carers and people with disabilities may also qualify. Discounts aren’t applied automatically, so you need to contact your council to claim.”