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Energy price cap: What is it and what will happen to bills in January? Energy price cap: What is it and what will happen to bills in January?
(2 days later)
Millions saw their energy prices fall in October after a drop in the cap, which limits how much suppliers can charge households for each unit of gas and electricity they use.Millions saw their energy prices fall in October after a drop in the cap, which limits how much suppliers can charge households for each unit of gas and electricity they use.
The energy regulator Ofgem sets the cap every three months. It will announce the price cap for January to March 2024 next week.The energy regulator Ofgem sets the cap every three months. It will announce the price cap for January to March 2024 next week.
What is the energy price cap?What is the energy price cap?
In recent years, the cost of variable tariff energy deals in England, Wales and Scotland has been controlled by the energy price cap, which is now set every three months by Ofgem, the energy regulator.In recent years, the cost of variable tariff energy deals in England, Wales and Scotland has been controlled by the energy price cap, which is now set every three months by Ofgem, the energy regulator.
The cap confirms the maximum price suppliers can charge households per unit of energy on a standard - or default - tariff in normal circumstances. It covers 29 million households.The cap confirms the maximum price suppliers can charge households per unit of energy on a standard - or default - tariff in normal circumstances. It covers 29 million households.
Energy prices soared after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, so in October ministers said household bills would be limited by a temporary government guarantee instead.Energy prices soared after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, so in October ministers said household bills would be limited by a temporary government guarantee instead.
Under this, a typical household's annual gas and electricity bill stayed below £2,500 despite Ofgem's cap increasing above this level.Under this, a typical household's annual gas and electricity bill stayed below £2,500 despite Ofgem's cap increasing above this level.
The Energy Price Guarantee finished in June 2023, and the Ofgem cap once again determines how much customers can be charged.The Energy Price Guarantee finished in June 2023, and the Ofgem cap once again determines how much customers can be charged.
Between October and December, Ofgem said typical bills will be £1,923, which is £151 less than the previous cap and £577 down on last winter.Between October and December, Ofgem said typical bills will be £1,923, which is £151 less than the previous cap and £577 down on last winter.
The regulator changed its estimate for how much gas and electricity is used by a typical household and has now recalculated the cap to £1,834.The regulator changed its estimate for how much gas and electricity is used by a typical household and has now recalculated the cap to £1,834.
The next quarterly price cap announcement will be on 23 November and will cover January to March 2024.The next quarterly price cap announcement will be on 23 November and will cover January to March 2024.
Analysts at Cornwall Insight have predicted the cap will rise by 5% to £1,931 a year from January, before starting to fall from the end of March.Analysts at Cornwall Insight have predicted the cap will rise by 5% to £1,931 a year from January, before starting to fall from the end of March.
Energy is regulated separately in Northern Ireland, where bills are slightly lower.Energy is regulated separately in Northern Ireland, where bills are slightly lower.
Warning winter energy bills harder to cope withWarning winter energy bills harder to cope with
What is a typical household?What is a typical household?
The calculations for a typical household are based on a direct debit customer using 11,500 kWh (kilowatt hours) of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity a year.The calculations for a typical household are based on a direct debit customer using 11,500 kWh (kilowatt hours) of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity a year.
A kilowatt hour is a unit of energy used to calculate your bill.A kilowatt hour is a unit of energy used to calculate your bill.
However, most households aren't typical.However, most households aren't typical.
Bills are based on how much energy you actually use, which depends on the number of people, the type of property and its energy efficiency.Bills are based on how much energy you actually use, which depends on the number of people, the type of property and its energy efficiency.
What if I'm on on a prepayment meter?What if I'm on on a prepayment meter?
In July 2023, Ofgem said around four million households had prepayment meters. Many have been in place for years, but some billpayers have been switched to prepayment meters if they struggled to pay.In July 2023, Ofgem said around four million households had prepayment meters. Many have been in place for years, but some billpayers have been switched to prepayment meters if they struggled to pay.
It reviewed their use after an investigation by The Times found debt agents acting for British Gas wrongly broke into vulnerable people's homes to forcibly fit meters.It reviewed their use after an investigation by The Times found debt agents acting for British Gas wrongly broke into vulnerable people's homes to forcibly fit meters.
Under new rules, suppliers must give customers more opportunity to clear their debts, contacting them at least 10 times before installing a meter, and they cannot be installed at all in certain households.Under new rules, suppliers must give customers more opportunity to clear their debts, contacting them at least 10 times before installing a meter, and they cannot be installed at all in certain households.
The government has promised to bring prepayment energy charges in line with those for direct debit customers.The government has promised to bring prepayment energy charges in line with those for direct debit customers.
Between October and December, the typical bill for prepayment households is £1,949 (under the old usage calculations), down from £2,077, but still £26 more than for direct debit customers.Between October and December, the typical bill for prepayment households is £1,949 (under the old usage calculations), down from £2,077, but still £26 more than for direct debit customers.
Typical bills for those who pay via cash, cheque or bank transfer, usually every three months, will be £129 more.Typical bills for those who pay via cash, cheque or bank transfer, usually every three months, will be £129 more.
Will energy bills continue to go down?Will energy bills continue to go down?
It is is impossible to tell for certain, not least because wholesale energy prices are affected by global issues, such as the war in Ukraine.It is is impossible to tell for certain, not least because wholesale energy prices are affected by global issues, such as the war in Ukraine.
However, energy consultancy Cornwall Insight forecasts that prices will rise again in January 2024to £1,931, before starting to fall from the end of March.However, energy consultancy Cornwall Insight forecasts that prices will rise again in January 2024to £1,931, before starting to fall from the end of March.
The consultancy does not expect energy prices to return to pre-Covid levels before the end of the decade.The consultancy does not expect energy prices to return to pre-Covid levels before the end of the decade.
Will this mean the return of switching?Will this mean the return of switching?
Lower prices should restart competition in the market, as suppliers start to offer fixed deals to customers, which set gas and electricity prices for a certain period of time.Lower prices should restart competition in the market, as suppliers start to offer fixed deals to customers, which set gas and electricity prices for a certain period of time.
Unlike variable tariffs, these are unaffected by the cap.Unlike variable tariffs, these are unaffected by the cap.
Consumer groups and regulators say this could be good for consumers, but warn that such deals do not suit all circumstances.Consumer groups and regulators say this could be good for consumers, but warn that such deals do not suit all circumstances.
If variable deals continue to fall in price, anyone already locked into a fixed deal would miss out on those savings.If variable deals continue to fall in price, anyone already locked into a fixed deal would miss out on those savings.
Those considering signing up for a fixed deal should also pay close attention to standing charges and exit fees, rather than just the headline rate.Those considering signing up for a fixed deal should also pay close attention to standing charges and exit fees, rather than just the headline rate.
What extra support is available for energy bills?What extra support is available for energy bills?
Some groups across the UK who may struggle to pay bills are receiving additional help through cost-of-living payments:Some groups across the UK who may struggle to pay bills are receiving additional help through cost-of-living payments:
£900 to households on means-tested benefits - paid in three instalments in spring and autumn 2023 and spring 2024£900 to households on means-tested benefits - paid in three instalments in spring and autumn 2023 and spring 2024
£300 for pensioner households£300 for pensioner households
£150 to people on certain disability benefits£150 to people on certain disability benefits
Vulnerable families can also claim help through the Household Support Fund, and - from October 2023 - the Warm Home Discount scheme.Vulnerable families can also claim help through the Household Support Fund, and - from October 2023 - the Warm Home Discount scheme.
Importantly, the £400 discount which all households in England, Wales and Scotland received last winter has finished.Importantly, the £400 discount which all households in England, Wales and Scotland received last winter has finished.
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: Help with billsOfgem: Help with bills
What help are businesses getting?What help are businesses getting?
Until the end of March 2023, businesses had their costs limited under the government's Energy Bill Relief Scheme.Until the end of March 2023, businesses had their costs limited under the government's Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
Under a new scheme running until March 2024, firms get a discount on wholesale prices, rather than costs being capped.Under a new scheme running until March 2024, firms get a discount on wholesale prices, rather than costs being capped.
Heavy energy-using sectors, like glass, ceramics and steelmakers, will get a larger discount than others.Heavy energy-using sectors, like glass, ceramics and steelmakers, will get a larger discount than others.
Rising bills mean chip shop is not viable - ownerRising bills mean chip shop is not viable - owner
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