This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58090533

The article has changed 128 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 67 Version 68
What is the energy price cap and what will happen to bills? What is the energy price cap and what will happen to bills?
(17 days later)
The government has reduced the amount of help it will offer households with their energy bills. The government has reduced the amount of help it will be offering households to pay for their energy, meaning that bills could rise sharply in April.
There are warnings bills could now rise sharply in April. However, the National Grid is starting a scheme which gives discounts to people who cut electricity use at peak times of the day.
How is help with energy bills changing?How is help with energy bills changing?
The government previously said households using a typical amount of gas and electricity would pay £2,500 annually.The government previously said households using a typical amount of gas and electricity would pay £2,500 annually.
It said this "energy price guarantee" would last for two years.It said this "energy price guarantee" would last for two years.
However, it will now end in April 2023. So, only this winter's bills will be covered by the policy.However, it will now end in April 2023. So, only this winter's bills will be covered by the policy.
What Jeremy Hunt's statement means for youWhat Jeremy Hunt's statement means for you
How much will I pay after April?How much will I pay after April?
What happens to bills after April will depend in part on a government review. It says this will prioritise those most in need.What happens to bills after April will depend in part on a government review. It says this will prioritise those most in need.
For households that do not receive any further support, a typical annual energy bill could be £4,347 in the spring, according to analysts Cornwall Insight.For households that do not receive any further support, a typical annual energy bill could be £4,347 in the spring, according to analysts Cornwall Insight.
However, this depends on changes to the prices domestic energy suppliers pay for oil and gas.However, this depends on changes to the prices domestic energy suppliers pay for oil and gas.
Do I live in a typical household?Do I live in a typical household?
The £2,500 price for a typical household is based on a direct debit customer using 12,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity a year. A kilowatt hour is a unit of energy used to calculate your bill. The £2,500 annual price for a typical household is based on a direct debit customer using 12,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity a year. A kilowatt hour is a unit of energy used to calculate your bill.
However, most households aren't typical, and your bill depends on how much energy you actually use.However, most households aren't typical, and your bill depends on how much energy you actually use.
Things like the number of occupants, the type of property and how energy efficient it is all make a difference.Things like the number of occupants, the type of property and how energy efficient it is all make a difference.
The price guarantee applies to all households in England, Scotland and Wales, with the "same level of support" available in Northern Ireland.The price guarantee applies to all households in England, Scotland and Wales, with the "same level of support" available in Northern Ireland.
What help will businesses get with bills? How is the National Grid offering to help?
The National Grid is starting a trial scheme, running between November and March, to encourage people to use less electricity at peak times.
It says that people who avoid using high-energy appliances such as washing machines in the late afternoon or early evening could get discounts of up to £100 on their energy bills.
Customers can sign up to the scheme only if they have a smart meter. It will run on 12 "test days".
On those days, customers will be asked not to use high-energy appliances for one hour of the day, expected to be between 16.00 and 19.00.
They will then get up to £3 per kilowatt hour off their electricity bill.
The scheme is also open to businesses.
Money-off energy scheme launches to avoid blackouts
What other help will businesses get with bills?
Business customers were only ever promised help for six months, with a review to decide what to do after that. The government says any subsequent help will be "targeted to those most affected".Business customers were only ever promised help for six months, with a review to decide what to do after that. The government says any subsequent help will be "targeted to those most affected".
Under the energy bill relief scheme:Under the energy bill relief scheme:
businesses are given a discount based on a "government supported price" of 21.1p per kWh for electricity and 7.5p per KWh for gasbusinesses are given a discount based on a "government supported price" of 21.1p per kWh for electricity and 7.5p per KWh for gas
the government says this is less than half the wholesale prices expected this winterthe government says this is less than half the wholesale prices expected this winter
organisations on fixed price contracts will be eligible if their deal started after 1 April 2022organisations on fixed price contracts will be eligible if their deal started after 1 April 2022
those on variable tariffs will receive an automatic discount for each unit of energy usedthose on variable tariffs will receive an automatic discount for each unit of energy used
the savings will begin to appear in November's bills (backdated to October) and will be applied automaticallythe savings will begin to appear in November's bills (backdated to October) and will be applied automatically
a review will be published in three months' time to identify "vulnerable" organisations needing support after March 2023a review will be published in three months' time to identify "vulnerable" organisations needing support after March 2023
The scheme will apply to all non-domestic energy customers in England, Scotland and Wales, with a parallel scheme in Northern Ireland.The scheme will apply to all non-domestic energy customers in England, Scotland and Wales, with a parallel scheme in Northern Ireland.
Why have energy prices gone up?Why have energy prices gone up?
Energy costs have soared because the conflict in Ukraine has reduced supplies of Russian gas.Energy costs have soared because the conflict in Ukraine has reduced supplies of Russian gas.
Prices also rose because demand for energy has rocketed since Covid restrictions ended.Prices also rose because demand for energy has rocketed since Covid restrictions ended.
What other help can I get with my bills?What other help can I get with my bills?
All households are automatically getting a one-off £400 discount on their fuel bills from October.All households are automatically getting a one-off £400 discount on their fuel bills from October.
Eight million low-income households who receive certain benefits or tax credits are receiving £650 in two payments.Eight million low-income households who receive certain benefits or tax credits are receiving £650 in two payments.
Pensioner households will get £300 and some disabled people will be paid £150.Pensioner households will get £300 and some disabled people will be paid £150.
This help is being partly funded by a temporary windfall tax on oil and gas companies.This help is being partly funded by a temporary windfall tax on oil and gas companies.
In addition, vulnerable families can claim help through the Household Support Fund, and the Warm Home Discount scheme.In addition, vulnerable families can claim help through the Household Support Fund, and the Warm Home Discount scheme.
Energy companies also run hardship funds, although the regulator Ofgem warned that most firms need to do do more to help customers who are struggling.Energy companies also run hardship funds, although the regulator Ofgem warned that most firms need to do do more to help customers who are struggling.
What can I do if I can't pay my energy bill?What can I do if I can't pay my energy bill?
Ofgem: Getting help if you can't afford your energy billsOfgem: Getting help if you can't afford your energy bills