A wave of rising bills and tax hikes coming into effect in April will leave a family on a £50,000 annual income almost £700 a year worse off, according to a study of the damaging effects of the cost of living crisis.

Unions have warned that an increase in the minimum wage will not be enough to offset the pressure on hard-pressed families. Households at the bottom of the income scale will face the hardest squeeze relatively, according a study by the CEBR economic consultancy undertaken for the Guardian.

It details how bills for dental work, prescriptions, water, broadband and car tax will jump as government departments and regulated companies are allowed to impose inflation-busting rises. Average council tax bills will increase by £99 from 1 April, topping £2,000 for the first time.

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