Rishi Sunak laughed awkwardly and described going without Sky TV as a child after being asked how he could relate to struggling families. Alongside wife Akshata Murty, the Prime Minister is richer than King Charles.
23.05.2024 - 14:59 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Citizens Advice has issued a warning that millions of households are not reaping the full benefits of their smart meters.
The consumer charity revealed that over half of British homes now have a smart meter, but suppliers often fail to provide adequate support when issues arise. The charity is calling for new regulations to ensure energy suppliers promptly identify and rectify problems. It expressed concern that customers could face large unexpected bills if their supplier fails to take an automatic reading for a prolonged period.
Current rules permit suppliers to "back bill" customers for up to a year, regardless of whether they have a smart meter. However, Citizens Advice believes this period should be reduced to six months to prevent substantial catch-up bills.
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A survey conducted by the group found that 20% of households with a smart meter, equating to 2.86 million households, still need to regularly submit manual meter readings as their device is not automatically doing so. Almost a third (31%) reported issues with their in-home display (IHD) screen, which helps households monitor their energy usage and costs.
A quarter of individuals who sought help from Citizens Advice regarding smart meter issues had billing problems. In some instances, customers received shocking catch-up bills exceeding £1,000 after their meters were left unchecked by suppliers for over a year.
The Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, Dame Clare Moriarty, criticised the government as data revealed over 10% of smart meters were not functioning correctly by the end of last year. Yet, the charity believes this is just the tip of the iceberg.
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Rishi Sunak laughed awkwardly and described going without Sky TV as a child after being asked how he could relate to struggling families. Alongside wife Akshata Murty, the Prime Minister is richer than King Charles.
Bargain Hunt fans were left unimpressed when an off-camera incident resulted in a sculpture being auctioned for far less than it was valued at. Chaos descended when a valuable item was damaged in transit during an episode of the BBC One show back in April. Bargain Hunt, which will be back on screens on Saturday, 8 June, saw pals Ivor and Joe delighted with their finds at a Lincolnshire antiques centre, which included an Old English Sheepdog sculpture.
Prince William 'stepped up' for King Charles at a poignant D-Day event on Thursday, after it was deemed "a step too far" for the King to attend amid his ongoing cancer treatment.
could not join and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day at yesterday’s Portsmouth ceremony, but that didn’t stop veterans asking after the Princess of Wales’s wellbeing.Geoffrey Weaving, 100, who took part in history’s largest seaborne invasion on this day in 1944, spoke to Prince William after Wednesday’s moving tribute. As the knelt down to chat with the veteran, he gave an into the Kates Middleton’s health as she continues her cancer treatment.“She is getting better, yes,” said the Prince.
the historic D-Day Landings.The Prince of Wales, 41, stepped out with his father, 75, and stepmother, 76, in Portsmouth, south of England, on Wednesday to mark the poignant occasion.However, one beloved royal was notably out of action — Kate Middleton.The Princess of Wales, 42, is still continuing her cancer treatment behind closed doors — and is not expected to return to royal duties anytime soon.Instead, William — the heir to the throne — represented the both of them at the ceremony, at which he wore a total of five medals, including the Great Master of The Most Honorable Order of the Bath, which marked the first time he has worn it.His other medals included the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal and the Coronation medal.William gave a poignant speech at the ceremony, sharing that he was “deeply honored” to join veterans from the Normandy landing.“We will always remember those who served and those who waved them off,” he said. “The mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who watched their loved ones go into battle, unsure if they would ever return.”“Today we remember the bravery of those who crossed this sea to liberate Europe.
As Taylor Swift's UK concert dates for her The Eras Tour approach, many fans are pondering over their outfits for the big night. If you've been on TikTok recently, you'll have seen that ticket holders are getting crafty, creating their own personalised bodysuits, dresses and boots, all inspired by one of Taylor's eras. And if you're scratching your head at the term 'era', you might not be a hardcore Swiftie, but in essence, it's a specific style associated with one of her albums.
Geordie Shore star Marnie Simpson made a shock return to the MTV show after her infamous row with Charlotte Crosby, as she was spotted filming in Thailand. However, things have taken a turn for the worst as she arrived back in England.The cast have been out in Asia filming the new series, which is set to be one of the most exciting yet, with the return of legend, Scotty T. Marnie, who previously insisted she wouldn’t be filming anymore episodes, flew out to join the rest of the crew, but was met with a nasty surprise.Taking to her Instagram story on Tuesday, 4 June, the 32-year-old posted a picture of her arm in hospital, with a drip attached.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued an update to everyone who did not receive their Child Benefit payment on Monday.
Manchester United's academy is the beating heart of the club and continues to produce.
Britain's Got Talent fans were gutted after a golden buzzer act narrowly missed out on getting to the final.
A fraudster who attempted to take a driving theory test on behalf of a man almost 20 years his senior has been jailed.
Britain's Got Talent has confirmed two more finalists for its 2024 series - with magician Jack Rhodes and Double Dutch troupe Haribow competing to win on Sunday. However, it means that choir Ravi's Dream Team - who touched the hearts of viewers with their inspiring story - missed out on a place in the big final. While the group made it to the final three, Jack was chosen as the winner of the public vote and Haribow were the judges' pick to make it through to the next stage.
Aldi is set to launch a 'must-have' item for Brits planning some outdoor entertaining. As the summer months approach, al fresco dining is likely to be on everyone's agenda.
Superdrug has issued a warning to parents across the UK as cases of head lice are on the rise. The high-street chemist has reported a 121% spike in sales of its head lice treatment spray.
If you've only ever considered potatoes for your Sunday roast, crisps, or chips, it's time to think outside the box.
More than 600 workers at Faslane and Coulport could be set to walk out in a dispute over pay.
A ‘generation of new towns’ modelled on areas including Hale will be built if Labour wins the next election, according Angela Rayner. The party’s deputy leader was setting out her party’s plans at the UK Real Estate, Investment & Infrastructure Forum in Leeds on Tuesday (May 21).
Banking giant HSBC warned holidaymakers last month of a rise in "clone" scammers, who create official-looking websites offering great holiday deals before stealing your bank details and running away with your hard-earned cash. Often, these fake websites will appear on social media or search engines when people look for holiday bargains.
Virgin Media has sent a new email warning to UK households, worth considering if you're finding your internet speeds shoddy. The renowned Internet Service Provider suggests that a simple trick could bring about immediate improvements and it only takes a moment.
Martin Lewis has issued a stark warning to anyone with a private or company pension in the UK.