Happy new tax year! The winners and losers

This time of year also sees annual price rises built into NHS budgets, utility companies' & councils' charges.

Here, we round up the winners and losers:The Winners...

• Full basic state pension UP from £95.25 to £97.65 per week. And up to £156.15 for couples. See the State Pension guide.

• New £5,100 cash ISA allowance. Everyone aged 16 or over can save £5,100 tax-free this year (£10,200 in ISAs including stocks and shares). See the Cash Isa guide).

• English NHS prescription prices frozen at £7.20. In Scotland, they've dropped from £4 to £3 and Northern Ireland's now free, like Wales. For full cost cutting tips see the Cheap Prescriptions & Medications guide.

• NHS dental costs bands frozen. Treatment costs won't increase in England & Wales.

• On average water bills are frozen. Some areas'll face a rise, some a fall - see Water Bill Savings.

The Losers...

• Council tax up an avg. 1.6%. Yet check if you can get your Council Tax Rebanded and get £1,000s back.

• BT's off-peak times now 7pm-7am, not 6pm-6am. Unless you're on its 'Anytime' package, an hour's landline call at 6pm now costs over £3 instead of nowt. Slash the cost with the Cheap Home Phones guide.

• Stamp prices up 2p. For standard sizes, 1st class is now 41p, 2nd is 32p.

• Personal allowance frozen. Personal allowance, the amount earnable before you pay tax, stays at £6,475 for most (over 65s £9,490, over 75s £9,640, though earn £22,900+ and it drops). Yet as avg earnings are up most people will pay more tax; see Income Tax Checker.

• High earners tax hike. Those earning £150,000+ will pay 50% tax above that threshold. Plus personal allowances gradually fall for £100k+ earners.

Further reading/Key Links

Cut costs: House-Buying MoneySaving, Best Bank Accounts, Inheritance Tax, Cheap Petrol & Diesel, Benefits Check-up