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Getting a salts test done will give you a lot of information to go on and help narrow down the cause - they are relatively inexpensive.

Looks very likely to be condensation to me. What is the ventilation like in that room? Does it have an extractor fan or trickle vents on the window? Is that surface cold to the touch? If so, humidity / moisture in the air could be reaching dew point and condensing on the surface, collecting as...

What is the age of the property?

What is above the kitchen? Bathroom, ensuite, shower? A relatively small leak from above could cause that - tracking down the plaster behind the paint.

Other option is to get a leak detection survey, cost may be covered on your insurance if you have 'trace & access' cover too. Worth checking your policy.

I'd recommend getting a salts test done, it will give you a lot of information on what the source of the water is, not massively expensive either. Quick google shows this useful explanation - Salts Test - Value For Damp Or Water Leak? | WaterLeak.co.uk

Using bleach is genuinely not a good idea - it can do more harm than good and only provide superficial benefits. A specialist antimicrobial mould product is far preferable.

I'd agree with this, a salts analysis test will tell you if you are dealing with water with chlorides (from the tap or waste), nitrates (from water rising through the ground) or neither (usually rainwater)

Sorry but that is not true. In my experience (as someone who does mould remediation work professionally) mould caused by water coming in via external walls is fairly infrequent. It is much more commonly caused by internal environmental conditions (condensation, leak etc) coupled with the right...

I'd recommend you consider getting a salts analysis test carried out. This is normally a dual test which will help to highlight if the moisture contains chlorides (tap water - direct or indirect), nitrates (rising damp from ground water sources) or neither (often rainwater ingress). Next steps...

Do you have a cavity wall or is it solid?

Removing the mould is one thing but the challenge is to stop it returning - i.e. sorting the cause not the effect. Mould needs certain conditions to grow so if you can tick as many of these off as possible it will help prevent it returning. Mould likes... - Moisture / humidity (obviously more...

Mould needs several conditions to grow so as many of these as you can tick off, the more chance you have of stopping it returning... - Moisture / humidity (normally > 70% RH) - Warmth (that usually exists in a house) - Lack of air movement / ventilation - Lack of direct sunlight - An organic...

You can always contact the water company to say you think there is a chance that it is still leaking - most water companies are grateful for this as they do not want to waste water and have targets not to too. It is not uncommon for a recent fix to leak.

How old is your house and do the ceilings have textured coatings or paint?