Experts have said that the expected 10% rise to energy bills will cause an “unacceptable level of prolonged hardship” for millions of families. Ofgem’s new energy price cap means energy bills are set to rise from 1 October. A typical household in England, Wales and Scotland will now pay £1,717 a year for gas and electricity, meaning a rise of £149.
The energy price cap doesn’t mean that your household bills can’t exceed £1,717 – some households will pay more and others less. It all depends on how much energy you use, as well as your circumstances like where you live and the energy efficiency of your property.
Every three months, the energy regulator reviews and updates the price cap to reflect changes in the cost of energy and inflation.
The rise in energy bills comes as cost of living payments for those on low incomes have come to an end, and winter fuel payments have been withdrawn for around 10 million pensioners.
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While prices have fallen twice this year – in April and July – under Ofgem’s price cap, experts have claimed the 10% rise on 1 October will mean families having to cut down on heating their homes this winter.
“I’ve had patients coming in wearing five layers of clothes,” consultant geriatrician Dr Chris Hay, who is backing Fuel Poverty Action’s Energy For All campaign, said. “Many struggle to navigate the complicated benefits system and are slipping through the cracks.”