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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Why are gas prices so high and what is happening to fuel bills? | |
| (3 days later) | |
| Energy prices are soaring and business leaders have warned some firms could be forced to close. | |
| Fuel bills are also rising for millions of households - with further "significant" increases expected next year. | |
| Why are gas prices so high? | |
| There's been a worldwide squeeze on gas and energy supplies. | |
| A cold winter in Europe last year put pressure on supplies and, as a result, stored gas levels are much lower than normal | |
| There's been increased demand from Asia - especially China - for liquefied natural gas. | |
| This has helped push up wholesale gas prices across the world. Since January, they've risen 250%. | |
| Is the UK headed for a gas shortage this winter? | |
| How are energy prices affecting business? | |
| Many companies face a considerable rise in their bills. That could mean they have to: | |
| reduce or pause production - or even cease trading - which could cause job losses | |
| pass their increased costs on to customers as higher prices | |
| Industry leaders have been meeting the government to discuss the crisis. | |
| What type of companies are worst affected? | |
| Energy-intensive industries which use heat as part of their production process - such as steel, paper and ceramic manufacturing - are particularly exposed. | |
| Adrian Curry of Encirc - a UK-based glass container plant - told the BBC his company is facing bills of up to £100m, up from £40m. | |
| However, every company that has to pay energy bills - even if it's just to heat an office or shop - will be affected. | |
| What action do they want from the government? | |
| There have been calls for an energy price cap for business use, similar to the one for households. At present there is no such protection from price rises. | |
| Energy-intensive industries also want: | |
| A reduction in their share of network costs, which cover the pipes and cables carrying energy across the UK | |
| Access to emergency relief if an energy-intensive plant has to shut down | |
| So far, the government has not committed to any help for business. | |
| The steel industry is particularly vulnerable to energy prices | |
| What's happening to household gas bills? | |
| About 15 million households have seen their energy bills rise by 12% since the beginning of the month. | |
| This is because the energy price cap has risen. This sets the maximum price suppliers in England, Wales and Scotland can charge domestic customers on a standard - or default - tariff. | |
| Energy regulator, Ofgem said the cap will go up again in April, the next time it is reviewed. | |
| In Northern Ireland, there is a separate energy market with two suppliers. Prices also rise this month - by 21.8% (SSE) and 35% (Firmus). | |
| Can I get a cheaper deal or fixed tariff? | |
| Usually, consumers are encouraged to shop around when energy bills rise. | |
| But at the moment better offers - including fixed deals - are simply not available. | But at the moment better offers - including fixed deals - are simply not available. |
| People already on fixed deals are advised to stay put. | People already on fixed deals are advised to stay put. |
| Firms warn of price rises as energy bills soar | Firms warn of price rises as energy bills soar |
| Gas prices: 'I'm just watching the meter go up' | Gas prices: 'I'm just watching the meter go up' |
| How can I save money on my bills? | How can I save money on my bills? |
| Instead of searching for a cheaper deal, householders are being encouraged to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. | Instead of searching for a cheaper deal, householders are being encouraged to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. |
| The Energy Saving Trust says that changes to our homes and habits could offset the current price rises. | The Energy Saving Trust says that changes to our homes and habits could offset the current price rises. |
| Which suppliers are going bust? | |
| Since wholesale gas prices started to spike, a number of retail energy suppliers have collapsed. | |
| They have been unable to pay higher prices for gas, or pass all of the increased costs on to customers. | |
| Enstroga, Igloo Energy and Symbio Energy were the latest energy suppliers to stop trading. | Enstroga, Igloo Energy and Symbio Energy were the latest energy suppliers to stop trading. |
| What can I do if my energy supplier goes bust? | What can I do if my energy supplier goes bust? |
| Gas prices: 'I'm just watching the meter go up' | Gas prices: 'I'm just watching the meter go up' |
| Food firms face huge price rise for carbon dioxide | Food firms face huge price rise for carbon dioxide |
| About 1.7 million customers have been affected. | About 1.7 million customers have been affected. |
| Why is the UK affected particularly badly? | Why is the UK affected particularly badly? |
| Gas prices are rising all across Europe, but there are extra reasons why the UK is hard hit: | Gas prices are rising all across Europe, but there are extra reasons why the UK is hard hit: |
| The UK is one of Europe's biggest users of natural gas - 85% of homes use gas central heating, and it also generates a third of the country's electricity | The UK is one of Europe's biggest users of natural gas - 85% of homes use gas central heating, and it also generates a third of the country's electricity |
| Supplies of renewable energy are down because it's been the least windy summer since 1961 - over the last week, wind provided just 9% of power for England, Wales and Scotland | Supplies of renewable energy are down because it's been the least windy summer since 1961 - over the last week, wind provided just 9% of power for England, Wales and Scotland |
| A recent fire at a National Grid site in Kent closed a power cable supplying electricity from France. | A recent fire at a National Grid site in Kent closed a power cable supplying electricity from France. |
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