Amazon Prime To Put Prices Up Next Month

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Amazon Prime is hiking up its prices for UK users next month.

It's not all that surprising giving the cost-of-living crisis, which has seen energy, food and fuel costs skyrocket in recent weeks.

The monthly subscription service, which includes access to its video and music streaming services and free fast-track delivery, is set to jump from £7.99 to £8.99.

From the 15 September when the online retail giant's contracts come up for renewal, those who sign up for the yearly package will have to shell out £95 instead of £79 – a jump of 20 percent.

As reported by The Guardian, this marks Amazon's first hike since 2014.

If you don't want to pay more, Money Saving Expert's Martin Lewis has once again come to the rescue with a handy tip.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "On 15 Sept, the monthly membership price increases from £7.99 to £8.99, and annual membership from £79 to £95.

"If you currently pay monthly, and want to keep it, if you can afford switch to annual now, to get next year at £79."

He added: "If your annual renewal is just after, then try cancelling and restarting just before 15 September."

Sure, the upfront cost will be more - but if you find yourself regularly paying the monthly subscription or you already do sign up for the yearly one, it's best to make the most of the lower price now while you still can.

Amazon explained that one of the reasons for putting up the price is due to an expansion of its services, including fast fresh grocery deliveries and a more extensive selection of entertainment.

A spokesperson for the company said: "Prime offers the best of shopping and entertainment, and continues to improve each year.

"We have increased the number of products available with fast, unlimited Prime delivery, recently added ultra-fast fresh grocery delivery, and have significantly expanded our high-quality digital entertainment, including TV, movies, music, games, and books.

"With increased inflation and operating costs in the UK continuing to rise, we will change the price of Prime."

But that's not stopped the online community from criticising the firm, with one taking shots at founder Jeff Bezos.

"Amazon Prime has just increased its price. I could hardly justify the current price... Jeff's getting greedy," they wrote on Twitter.

Another commenter, whose experience reflects the struggles facing millions of Brits right now, said: "I’m looking to cancel both Netflix & Amazon Prime. I paid the annual Amazon fee but won’t be renewing when it’s time.

"We’ve had a hike on energy, water & council tax which is over £200 pm extra to the existing £140 pm we had to find in April. Need to claw back somewhere."