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| Version 46 | Version 47 |
|---|---|
| What is the energy price cap and how high will bills go? | What is the energy price cap and how high will bills go? |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Energy bills for a typical household will rise to £3,549 a year on 1 October, when a new price cap is introduced. | |
| With calls for more help with costs growing, plans to reduce bills for households using less energy at peak times are also expected soon. | With calls for more help with costs growing, plans to reduce bills for households using less energy at peak times are also expected soon. |
| What is the energy price cap and what will I pay? | |
| The £3,549 figure is not a limit on the amount you will actually pay. | |
| If your household uses more energy than average, your bills will be higher. If you use less, they will be lower. | |
| The price cap is a maximum amount energy companies can charge households for each unit of energy they use (the kilowatt hour or kWh on your bills). It also limits the standing charge - the fee firms charge customers for being connected to the energy grid. | |
| Ofgem, the energy regulator, sets the price cap according to how much energy companies themselves have to pay for the electricity and gas they supply to households. | |
| Ofgem sets the energy price cap every three months and it applies in England, Scotland and Wales. | Ofgem sets the energy price cap every three months and it applies in England, Scotland and Wales. |
| Energy prices in Northern Ireland are controlled separately, but have also increased sharply. | Energy prices in Northern Ireland are controlled separately, but have also increased sharply. |
| Ofgem: Check if the energy price cap affects you | Ofgem: Check if the energy price cap affects you |
| How high might bills go? | |
| Before Friday's announcement the price cap meant typical bills of £1,971 a year, or £2,017 for the 4.5 million households with a pre-payment meter. | |
| The rise to £3,549, or £3,608 for those on pre-payment meters, is an 80% increase. | |
| Analysts at Cornwall Insight have said to expect further increases in January, when the price cap is due to be updated again. They now predict the cap will rise to £5,386 a year. | |
| However, Ofgem says predictions of future price cap levels should be treated with "extreme caution". | |
| How can I save money on my energy bills? | How can I save money on my energy bills? |
| Plans to offer discounts to households which use less electricity at peak times, are expected in early September from National Grid, which runs the UK's electricity system. | Plans to offer discounts to households which use less electricity at peak times, are expected in early September from National Grid, which runs the UK's electricity system. |
| Customers who don't use energy-hungry appliances between 17:00 and 20:00 BST could get money back for the energy they save during this time. | Customers who don't use energy-hungry appliances between 17:00 and 20:00 BST could get money back for the energy they save during this time. |
| However, it's thought only households with smart meters will qualify and it can take a few weeks to get one installed. | However, it's thought only households with smart meters will qualify and it can take a few weeks to get one installed. |
| The Energy Saving Trust says making several small changes to energy habits can also help reduce bills, such as limiting your shower time and air drying your clothes. | The Energy Saving Trust says making several small changes to energy habits can also help reduce bills, such as limiting your shower time and air drying your clothes. |
| According to the Centre for Sustainable Energy, tumble dryers use between 2 and 3 kWh per hour they're on, while ovens use about 2 kWh and dishwashers between 1 and 1.5 kWh. | According to the Centre for Sustainable Energy, tumble dryers use between 2 and 3 kWh per hour they're on, while ovens use about 2 kWh and dishwashers between 1 and 1.5 kWh. |
| Improving your home's insulation can also cut bills. | Improving your home's insulation can also cut bills. |
| Why are energy prices so high? | Why are energy prices so high? |
| Energy prices rose sharply when lockdown lifted and the economy began to return to normal. | Energy prices rose sharply when lockdown lifted and the economy began to return to normal. |
| They have also increased because the war in Ukraine has sharply reduced supplies of Russian gas. | They have also increased because the war in Ukraine has sharply reduced supplies of Russian gas. |
| This has pushed up the price of gas across the continent, including in the UK. | This has pushed up the price of gas across the continent, including in the UK. |
| Gas and electricity producers raised their prices so rapidly in 2021 that many energy suppliers collapsed. | Gas and electricity producers raised their prices so rapidly in 2021 that many energy suppliers collapsed. |
| Ofgem has been increasing the price cap to try and ensure the remainder stay in business. | Ofgem has been increasing the price cap to try and ensure the remainder stay in business. |
| What's the effect on customers? | What's the effect on customers? |
| Energy price rises are expected to put many people into fuel poverty, meaning they can't afford to heat (or cool) their homes to an adequate temperature. | Energy price rises are expected to put many people into fuel poverty, meaning they can't afford to heat (or cool) their homes to an adequate temperature. |
| Energy company E.on UK suggests one in eight households are currently struggling to pay their bills. It says that could rise to 40% by October when the new price cap kicks in. | Energy company E.on UK suggests one in eight households are currently struggling to pay their bills. It says that could rise to 40% by October when the new price cap kicks in. |
| The NHS has warned that growing numbers of people will see their health worsen, unless the government takes further action to limit price increases. | The NHS has warned that growing numbers of people will see their health worsen, unless the government takes further action to limit price increases. |
| The NHS Confederation said many people will have to choose between skipping meals or heating their homes. | The NHS Confederation said many people will have to choose between skipping meals or heating their homes. |
| What help will I get to pay my energy bills? | What help will I get to pay my energy bills? |
| All UK households will be given a one-off £400 discount on their fuel bills from October. | All UK households will be given a one-off £400 discount on their fuel bills from October. |
| In addition, £650 will be paid to more than eight million low-income households who receive benefits or tax credits. | In addition, £650 will be paid to more than eight million low-income households who receive benefits or tax credits. |
| There are further payments of £300 to pensioner households and £150 to disabled people. | There are further payments of £300 to pensioner households and £150 to disabled people. |
| Fifty disability charities have called on Tory leadership rivals Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak to promise more support | Fifty disability charities have called on Tory leadership rivals Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak to promise more support |
| Vulnerable families can also claim help through the Household Support Fund, the Warm Home Discount scheme, and hardship funds run by energy companies. | Vulnerable families can also claim help through the Household Support Fund, the Warm Home Discount scheme, and hardship funds run by energy companies. |
| How do I get the £400 energy grant and £650 cost-of-living payment? | How do I get the £400 energy grant and £650 cost-of-living payment? |
| Ofgem: Getting help if you can't afford your energy bills | Ofgem: Getting help if you can't afford your energy bills |
| What happens if I don't pay my energy bills? | What happens if I don't pay my energy bills? |
| Your supplier must give you a chance to clear your debt through an agreed payment plan. | Your supplier must give you a chance to clear your debt through an agreed payment plan. |
| If you don't agree, you may be forced to move to a pre-payment meter. | If you don't agree, you may be forced to move to a pre-payment meter. |
| In extreme cases, you might be threatened with disconnection. | In extreme cases, you might be threatened with disconnection. |
| What can I do if I can't afford my energy bill? | What can I do if I can't afford my energy bill? |
| How are you preparing for the rise in energy bills and cost of living? You can get in touch by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | How are you preparing for the rise in energy bills and cost of living? You can get in touch by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: |
| WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 | WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 |
| Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay | Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay |
| Or fill out the form below | Or fill out the form below |
| Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy | Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy |
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