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What is the Ofgem energy price cap and how much are bills falling? What is the energy price cap and who gets winter fuel payments?
(30 days later)
Gas and electricity prices fell by 7% in England, Scotland and Wales on 1 July. Around 10 million pensioners will no longer get winter fuel payments to help them with bills at the coldest time of year.
Under the new energy price cap, the typical annual dual-fuel bill paid by direct debit is now £1,568 per year. For all customers, energy bills are now at their lowest for two years but are still about £400 higher than they were three years ago.
However, while bills are at their lowest for two years, they remain about £400 higher than they were three years ago. How much are winter fuel payments and who will get them?
Until now, winter fuel payments have been given to all pensioners.
They are worth between £100 and £300, depending on the age of the recipient and whether or not they live alone.
More than 11.3 million pensioners received the payment in winter 2022-23.
However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that from winter 2024, they will only go to pensioners who get pension credit or other means-tested benefits. The policy applies in England and Wales.
About 850,000 households who are eligible to receive pension credit do not claim it, according to figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions last year.
You could be eligible if you are above state pension age and have an income of less that £218.15 a week, or less than £332.95 as a joint weekly income with your partner. Savings are also taken into account.
Disabled people, those caring for someone, and those with housing costs could be eligible despite these factors
The governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland will make a decision on whether to follow the new policy.
What is the energy price cap?What is the energy price cap?
The energy price cap covers 28 million households in England, Wales and Scotland and is set every three months, external by the energy regulator Ofgem.The energy price cap covers 28 million households in England, Wales and Scotland and is set every three months, external by the energy regulator Ofgem.
It fixes the maximum price that can be charged for each unit of energy on a standard - or default - tariff for a typical dual-fuel household which pays by direct debit.It fixes the maximum price that can be charged for each unit of energy on a standard - or default - tariff for a typical dual-fuel household which pays by direct debit.
Between 1 July and 30 September, gas prices will be capped at 5.48p per kilowatt hour (kWh), and electricity at 22.36p per kWh.Between 1 July and 30 September, gas prices will be capped at 5.48p per kilowatt hour (kWh), and electricity at 22.36p per kWh.
The cap does not apply in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market. Prices are also falling there. A dual-fuel direct debit household using a typical amount of energy, external will pay £1,568 per year, a drop of £122.
How much is my bill likely to go down?
From 1 July, a dual-fuel direct debit household using a typical amount of energy, external will pay £1,568 per year, a drop of £122.
Typical bills for those who pay their bills every three months by cash or cheque have fallen by £129 to £1,668.Typical bills for those who pay their bills every three months by cash or cheque have fallen by £129 to £1,668.
The cap does not apply in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market. Prices are also falling there.
What is a typical household?What is a typical household?
Your energy bill depends on the overall amount of gas and electricity you use, and how you pay.Your energy bill depends on the overall amount of gas and electricity you use, and how you pay.
The type of property you live in, how energy efficient it is, and how many people live there, are also relevant.The type of property you live in, how energy efficient it is, and how many people live there, are also relevant.
The Ofgem cap is based on a "typical household" using 11,500 kWh of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity a year with a single contract for gas and electricity, which they settle by direct debit.The Ofgem cap is based on a "typical household" using 11,500 kWh of gas and 2,700 kWh of electricity a year with a single contract for gas and electricity, which they settle by direct debit.
The vast majority of people pay their bill this way, to help spread payments across the year.The vast majority of people pay their bill this way, to help spread payments across the year.
Those who pay every three months by cash and cheque are charged more.Those who pay every three months by cash and cheque are charged more.
In March, Ofgem said it was considering a range of options for changing the current energy cap system, including charging different prices throughout the day to reflect periods of high demand.In March, Ofgem said it was considering a range of options for changing the current energy cap system, including charging different prices throughout the day to reflect periods of high demand.
What is happening to prepayment customers?What is happening to prepayment customers?
From 1 July, households on prepayment meters are paying slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical bill of £1,522, a drop of £121.From 1 July, households on prepayment meters are paying slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical bill of £1,522, a drop of £121.
Since April they have paid the same as those on direct debit, but were previously charged more.
About four million households had prepayment meters in April 2024, according to Ofgem.About four million households had prepayment meters in April 2024, according to Ofgem.
Many have been in place for years, but some were installed more recently after customers struggled to pay higher bills.Many have been in place for years, but some were installed more recently after customers struggled to pay higher bills.
New rules mean suppliers must give customers more opportunity to clear their debts before switching them to a meter, and they cannot be installed at all in certain households.New rules mean suppliers must give customers more opportunity to clear their debts before switching them to a meter, and they cannot be installed at all in certain households.
What are standing charges and how are they changing?What are standing charges and how are they changing?
Although the overall cap has fallen, standing charges - a fixed daily amount which covers the costs of connecting to a supply - are staying the same.Although the overall cap has fallen, standing charges - a fixed daily amount which covers the costs of connecting to a supply - are staying the same.
These are typically 60p a day for electricity and 31p a day for gas, although they vary by region.These are typically 60p a day for electricity and 31p a day for gas, although they vary by region.
Campaigners, including the financial journalist Martin Lewis, have said these charges are unfair because they make up a disproportionately large part of the bill of low energy users.Campaigners, including the financial journalist Martin Lewis, have said these charges are unfair because they make up a disproportionately large part of the bill of low energy users.
Ofgem said tens of thousands of customers responded to its recent consultation about how the charges work.
Listen: The Martin Lewis podcast - standing charges
Listen: The Martin Lewis podcast - standing charges
Separately, the regulator is also adding £28 to everyone's bill over the year to cover the cost of dealing with £3.1bn of debt that customers owe to suppliers.Separately, the regulator is also adding £28 to everyone's bill over the year to cover the cost of dealing with £3.1bn of debt that customers owe to suppliers.
Should I fix my energy prices?Should I fix my energy prices?
The fall in energy prices raised hopes that suppliers would offer cheaper, fixed-price deals.The fall in energy prices raised hopes that suppliers would offer cheaper, fixed-price deals.
These offer certainty for a set period, but if prices drop further, people could find themselves stuck at the higher price.These offer certainty for a set period, but if prices drop further, people could find themselves stuck at the higher price.
Leading consultancy Cornwall Insight predicts a typical household's annual bill will be back up to £1,723 in October, a £155, or 10%, increase from now. However, the reality may be different.Leading consultancy Cornwall Insight predicts a typical household's annual bill will be back up to £1,723 in October, a £155, or 10%, increase from now. However, the reality may be different.
When considering fixed-price deals, Ofgem says people should seek independent advice and consider what is most important for them - the lowest price or the security of a fixed deal.When considering fixed-price deals, Ofgem says people should seek independent advice and consider what is most important for them - the lowest price or the security of a fixed deal.
Price comparison website Uswitch warned customers to check whether fixed deals had exit fees before signing up.Price comparison website Uswitch warned customers to check whether fixed deals had exit fees before signing up.
What financial help is available for energy bills? What extra help can I get with my energy bills?
Certain groups - such as pensioners and those on some means-tested or disability benefits - received extra cost-of-living payments when bills soared after the pandemic.
But much of that extra support has ended.
The £500m Household Support Fund,, external which was introduced in September 2021 to help vulnerable customers, had been due to end in March 2024.The £500m Household Support Fund,, external which was introduced in September 2021 to help vulnerable customers, had been due to end in March 2024.
However, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a six-month extension in the spring Budget. However, the previous chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a six-month extension in the spring Budget.
The Warm Home Discount scheme, external continues to offer a discount to eligible pensioners and low income households.The Warm Home Discount scheme, external continues to offer a discount to eligible pensioners and low income households.
The government's Fuel Direct Scheme, external can help people to repay an energy debt directly from their benefit payments.The government's Fuel Direct Scheme, external can help people to repay an energy debt directly from their benefit payments.
In addition, suppliers must offer customers affordable payment plans or repayment holidays if they are struggling with bills.In addition, suppliers must offer customers affordable payment plans or repayment holidays if they are struggling with bills.
Most suppliers also offer hardship grants.Most suppliers also offer hardship grants.
The energy support scheme for businesses, which offered firms a discount on wholesale prices, ended in March 2024.
What can I do if I can't pay my energy bill?What can I do if I can't pay my energy bill?
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 bills, externalOfgem: Help with bills, external
Ofgem: Help with bills, externalOfgem: Help with bills, external
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