‘Unsustainable’ prepayment meters could see households spend third of income on energy, experts warn
2 weeks, 1 day ago

‘Unsustainable’ prepayment meters could see households spend third of income on energy, experts warn

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Households on prepayment meters in the UK could see their energy bills cost up to a third of their household income this winter, new research has warned. The UK’s four million households on a prepayment meters will need to spend an estimated 30 per cent of their income or more on energy bills, after housing costs, across December, January and February. open image in gallery Energy bills have begun rising again in 2024 People in these households “remain overlooked” says the report, adding that “as are concentrated among poorer families, this drain on family finances is unsustainable, leading to families sitting in cold, dark homes.” Researchers also point out that over half of the households on these meters are in debt to their energy suppliers which, as this debt is paid when meters are topped up, is adding to the struggle to keep warm. These high costs can squeeze out other important spending and increase the risk of people rationing their energy use in a way that can harm their health.” A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “We are doing everything we can to support vulnerable families this winter – including through the £150 warm home discount expected to support 3 million eligible households, while around 1.3 million households in England and Wales will continue to receive up to £300 in winter fuel payments.

Energy Winter Energy Bills Households Meters Prepayment Experts Warn Prepayment Meters  sign  unsustainable  income  experts  warn  prepayment  spend  bills  winter  uk  million  meters  support  households  energy

History of this topic

Households urged to submit energy readings amid forecast of further rises ahead
1 week, 1 day ago

Households urged to submit energy readings amid forecast of further rises ahead

The Independent  

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Take an energy meter reading by THIS date or risk overpaying on bills, households warned
1 week, 5 days ago

Take an energy meter reading by THIS date or risk overpaying on bills, households warned

Daily Mail  

Nine million households need to submit energy meter readings by 1 January to avoid overpaying on their bills, findings warn. Homes on standard variable tariffs and without a smart meter risk having some of their energy usage estimated and potentially being charged under new, higher rates, unless they submit a meter reading on or before 1 January. Meter readings: Nine …

Nine million households urged to act now to avoid overpaying on energy bills
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Nine million households urged to act now to avoid overpaying on energy bills

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The comparison service has urged bill payers to submit their smart meter reading in …

In the bleak mid-winter, energy prices will rise – but ‘shopping around’ won’t help
1 month, 2 weeks ago

In the bleak mid-winter, energy prices will rise – but ‘shopping around’ won’t help

The Independent  

As if the announcement of yet another energy price hike wasn’t bad enough, Ofgem has added insult to injury by telling the British public to simply “shop around” for better tariffs. The energy watchdog clearly knew that it was going to take some heat by releasing the information in the midst of a cold snap, when energy bills are at …

Ofgem energy price cap increases – what you need to know as Martin Lewis weighs in
3 months, 1 week ago

Ofgem energy price cap increases – what you need to know as Martin Lewis weighs in

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ofgem’s energy price …

Energy price cap predicted to fall in January in glimmer of hope for households
3 months, 1 week ago

Energy price cap predicted to fall in January in glimmer of hope for households

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight said it expects the typical …

Millions of households told to take action by end of the day before energy price hike
3 months, 1 week ago

Millions of households told to take action by end of the day before energy price hike

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The average household energy bill is to increase by £149 …

Energy bills to increase by almost £150 after Ofgem raises price cap by 10 per cent
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Energy bills to increase by almost £150 after Ofgem raises price cap by 10 per cent

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Customers on standard variable tariffs will pay 6.24p per kWh …

Millions of households struggle to pay energy bills despite price drop – charity
6 months ago

Millions of households struggle to pay energy bills despite price drop – charity

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. As millions of people worry about keeping up with …

Labour’s claims it will cut energy bills by £300 are ‘false’, insist Tories
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Labour’s claims it will cut energy bills by £300 are ‘false’, insist Tories

The Telegraph  

Claire Coutinho has accused Labour of misleading voters over claims its green energy plans will slash household bills by £300 a year. The criticism comes after Ed Miliband, the shadow energy secretary, claimed that a massive expansion of wind, solar and nuclear power will cut consumer bills by an average of £300 a year by 2030. However, Ms Coutinho pointed …

Ofgem reveals price cap falls as Britons to pay less for energy bills from July
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Ofgem reveals price cap falls as Britons to pay less for energy bills from July

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ofgem’s energy price cap will fall by 7 per cent …

Average household energy bill set to fall by 7% in July, say experts
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Average household energy bill set to fall by 7% in July, say experts

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The average household energy bill …

Relief for Brits as energy price cap is set to fall by 7% in July cutting annual bill for typical household to £1,574... as Jeremy Hunt says UK has 'turned a corner' with mortgage rates easing
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Relief for Brits as energy price cap is set to fall by 7% in July cutting annual bill for typical household to £1,574... as Jeremy Hunt says UK has 'turned a corner' with mortgage rates easing

Daily Mail  

Brits are set for much-needed relief with energy bills projected to fall by another 7 per cent in July. Dr Craig Lowrey, Principal Consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: 'Our projections suggest that from July, the average annual bill will fall by around £500 compared to last summer, offering further relief given the quarter-on-quarter drop seen in April. 'While the cap …

Average household energy costs fall to lowest point in two years
9 months ago

Average household energy costs fall to lowest point in two years

The Independent  

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Millions of UK homes risk being overcharged on energy bills due to faulty smart meters
9 months, 1 week ago

Millions of UK homes risk being overcharged on energy bills due to faulty smart meters

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nearly four million homes across Britain risk overpaying on their …

Energy price cap 2024: Households see bills fall as Ofgem drops energy price gap
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Energy price cap 2024: Households see bills fall as Ofgem drops energy price gap

The Independent  

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Energy bills: How are Labour and Conservatives proposing to help households?
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Energy bills: How are Labour and Conservatives proposing to help households?

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The government is offering fossil fuel giants tax relief on …

Energy bill price hike takes effect as record numbers struggle with debt
1 year ago

Energy bill price hike takes effect as record numbers struggle with debt

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Without additional support, it will be anything but a …

Households issued urgent 24-hour warning as energy bills to rise by £94
1 year ago

Households issued urgent 24-hour warning as energy bills to rise by £94

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. This means the UK government needs to take much more action to help people …

Household energy bills to rise 5% from January 1 amid record consumer debt
1 year ago

Household energy bills to rise 5% from January 1 amid record consumer debt

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A £94 increase to the …

Six energy firms pay out £10.8m for missing smart meter targets
1 year, 1 month ago

Six energy firms pay out £10.8m for missing smart meter targets

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ofgem said British Gas, Ovo, Bulb, E.On, Scottish Power …

Charities ramp up ‘help to repay’ calls as millions unable to pay energy debts
1 year, 2 months ago

Charities ramp up ‘help to repay’ calls as millions unable to pay energy debts

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ofgem"> Ahead of Chancellor’s upcoming Autumn Statement, the free debt advice service is leading …

Lower energy price cap takes effect amid concerns households will pay more
1 year, 3 months ago

Lower energy price cap takes effect amid concerns households will pay more

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A fall in Ofgem’s energy …

Energy bills expected to fall £150 a year from October
1 year, 4 months ago

Energy bills expected to fall £150 a year from October

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The amount that an average …

People told to read meters after energy prices fall
1 year, 6 months ago

People told to read meters after energy prices fall

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy People across Great Britain have …

Households urged to send meter readings ahead of July 1 price cap drop
1 year, 6 months ago

Households urged to send meter readings ahead of July 1 price cap drop

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Households have been urged to …

Average household energy bill to fall by £426 from July amid Ofgem price cap cut
1 year, 7 months ago

Average household energy bill to fall by £426 from July amid Ofgem price cap cut

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. At its peak, the price cap reached £4,279 and, …

Household energy bills to fall from July after cut to Ofgem’s price cap
1 year, 7 months ago

Household energy bills to fall from July after cut to Ofgem’s price cap

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. At its peak, the price cap reached £4,279 and, …

April dates for DWP payments, benefits, pensions and cost of living top ups
1 year, 8 months ago

April dates for DWP payments, benefits, pensions and cost of living top ups

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “With energy bills set to fall from July onwards, this temporary change will bridge …

Households with prepayment meters won't pay more than direct debit
1 year, 9 months ago

Households with prepayment meters won't pay more than direct debit

Daily Mail  

Households with prepayment meters for gas and electricity will get help to ensure they are charged no more than those who pay via direct debit. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: 'Ofgem has already agreed with suppliers a temporary suspension to forced installations of prepayment meters' Households with prepayment meters for gas and electricity will get help to ensure they are charged …

Energy Secretary hints 20% energy bill hike in April WILL be ditched
1 year, 10 months ago

Energy Secretary hints 20% energy bill hike in April WILL be ditched

Daily Mail  

Grant Shapps has hinted there could be further help for consumers struggling with large utility bills ahead of another increase expected next month. The Energy Secretary said he was 'sympathetic' to calls for more state aid with families staring at a 20 per cent increase in average bills. Energy regulator Ofgem is lowering its energy price cap from the current …

Ofgem lowers energy price cap but bills still expected to rise for households
1 year, 10 months ago

Ofgem lowers energy price cap but bills still expected to rise for households

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley said: “Although wholesale prices …

Energy bills set to eat up 10% of average salary as government support ebbs
1 year, 10 months ago

Energy bills set to eat up 10% of average salary as government support ebbs

The Independent  

Energy bills will account for up to 10 per cent of the average salary from April, new research from the TUC suggests, as analysts warned that households won’t see the benefit of falling wholesale prices until at least July. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “The government must cancel its imminent hike in household energy bills at next month’s budget. …

All energy firms say they will stop installing prepay meters in vulnerable customers' homes
1 year, 10 months ago

All energy firms say they will stop installing prepay meters in vulnerable customers' homes

Daily Mail  

All energy suppliers in Britain have promised to end the installation of prepayment meters in the homes of vulnerable customers, the Government announced on Friday. Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said: 'All suppliers are now halting forced installations, magistrates are no longer signing off warrant applications and Ofgem are upping their game when it comes to their reviews' The Department …

Energy price cap: When will bills fall and by how much?
1 year, 11 months ago

Energy price cap: When will bills fall and by how much?

Daily Mail  

Here is everything you need to know about the future of energy bill pricing Here is everything you need to know about the future of energy bill pricing But the major savings will come if providers bring back cheap fixed-rate deals Households will save £426 a year on their energy bills from this summer, regulator Ofgem says, offering hope to …

British Gas debt collectors broke into vulnerable customers’ homes to ‘force-fit’ energy meters
1 year, 11 months ago

British Gas debt collectors broke into vulnerable customers’ homes to ‘force-fit’ energy meters

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Debt collectors working on behalf …

Households heading for £500 energy bill boost
2 years ago

Households heading for £500 energy bill boost

The Telegraph  

Households are on course to pay hundreds of pounds less than feared for energy after gas prices dropped to their lowest levels since before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Analysts at Investec forecast that the energy price cap, which dictates what suppliers can charge for gas and electricity, will be as low as £2,600 per year from July. But Mr Young …

‘Life or death:’ As Britons buckle under the cost of living crisis, many resort to ‘warm banks’ for heat this winter
2 years ago

‘Life or death:’ As Britons buckle under the cost of living crisis, many resort to ‘warm banks’ for heat this winter

CNN  

London CNN — In a community center in central London, a young child plays in a makeshift area as her caregiver rocks her stroller and chats to a friend. “Poverty has been building up over the last dozen years and getting worse,” says Marmot, director of University College London’s Institute of Health Equity. “There’s surprisingly lots of people that do …

Timeline of energy cap increases as bills surge by 80% in six months
2 years, 1 month ago

Timeline of energy cap increases as bills surge by 80% in six months

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But new PM Rishi Sunak has announced plans to rise the energy price cap …

Millions of Britons face £900 energy bill hike in April as cap ends
2 years, 1 month ago

Millions of Britons face £900 energy bill hike in April as cap ends

Daily Mail  

Millions of households face a cost of living crunch in April with average energy bills rising by £900 as the government's cap ends - and council tax almost certain to soar. Rishi Sunak said there was no option about 'putting our public finances on a sustainable trajectory', suggesting that otherwise there would be a repeat of the market meltdown that …

Struggling families ‘unplugging fridges and ovens’ to save money on energy costs
2 years, 2 months ago

Struggling families ‘unplugging fridges and ovens’ to save money on energy costs

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Andrew Forsey, the national director of charity Feeding Britain, said …

Half of households say they will spend more on energy bills than rent
2 years, 2 months ago

Half of households say they will spend more on energy bills than rent

The Independent  

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UK government caps energy bills for businesses for 6 months
2 years, 3 months ago

UK government caps energy bills for businesses for 6 months

Associated Press  

LONDON — Britain’s government said Wednesday it will cap wholesale energy bills for businesses this winter to ensure companies don’t go bust amid soaring energy prices. Authorities said the government will pick up nearly half of all business energy bills for six months starting Oct. 1 to ensure companies “are able to get through this winter.” “We’re going to review …

Explained | U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss’s new energy policy to limit bills
2 years, 3 months ago

Explained | U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss’s new energy policy to limit bills

The Hindu  

The story so far: Newly-appointed U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss unveiled her energy plans for the country on Thursday amid rising inflation and growing concerns for a crisis in Europe as a fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war. Under the “two-year energy price guarantee”, typical household energy bills will be an average of £2,500 a year for heating and electricity, Prime …

Liz Truss caps energy bills until 2024
2 years, 4 months ago

Liz Truss caps energy bills until 2024

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “That would undermine the national interest by undermining the very …

Home insulation installations plunge by 50%, adding to pain of rocketing energy bills
2 years, 4 months ago

Home insulation installations plunge by 50%, adding to pain of rocketing energy bills

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Home insulation installations …

Public should cut back on energy use, says chancellor in government U-turn
2 years, 4 months ago

Public should cut back on energy use, says chancellor in government U-turn

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Adam Bell, the former head of energy strategy for the government, predicted a 10 per …

Energy price cap to soar by 80% as Government urged ‘match scale of the crisis’
2 years, 4 months ago

Energy price cap to soar by 80% as Government urged ‘match scale of the crisis’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ofgem’s chief executive Jonathan Brearley urged the incoming prime …

Energy price hike will ‘cost lives’ and leave children hungry, charities warn
2 years, 4 months ago

Energy price hike will ‘cost lives’ and leave children hungry, charities warn

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “More help is desperately needed for poorest or people will die this winter due to …

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