A single mum struggling with her disabled daughter's energy costs says she is 'lying on a knife-edge' over soaring prices.
16.05.2022 - 13:55 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Energy bills are showing no sign of decreasing as the UK battles to cope with the cost of living crisis. Inflation has skyrocketed to a record seven percent following the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Energy regulate Ofgem has also just announced that UK should update the price cap on energy bills every three months instead of twice a year to help households. The energy price cap rose by 54 percent on April 1, leaving customers having to deal with massive increases in their energy bills, with some paying more than double for their gas and electricity.
An investigation launched into claims firms are ripping off customers through direct debits was announced last week by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng. Ofgem chief executive, Jonathan Brearley, confirmed firms are seeing “bad practices”, in order to ease cashflow problems, as businesses pass on the rising energy costs to consumers, reports the Express.
Read more: EDF warns customers about severe impact of double energy price rise in October
Data specialist Anita Dougall, an expert in the energy industry, has shared her thoughts on the energy bills hike and the impact on direct debit payments. Anita explained the energy industry is currently suffering from a “lack of data maturity”, which is a stumbling block for transparent and fair charges.
According to the expert, this leaves energy firms without sufficient visibility over their customer's information as they set direct debits. When asked why consumers are being exposed to unreasonably inflated direct debits, Ms Dougall said: “There are many factors at play, but lack of visibility is a big one which is often down to a lack of data maturity in the energy sector."
She added: “Many suppliers set Direct
A single mum struggling with her disabled daughter's energy costs says she is 'lying on a knife-edge' over soaring prices.
GP and TV doctor Sarah Jarvis has issued a warning to anybody planning to have a BBQ this weekend. Millions of Brits will be coming together to celebrate the Jubilee over the weekend, and for many, that means throwing some burgers and sausages on the barbeque.
New YouGov research recently commissioned by British Gas indicates that four in 10 households will struggle to pay their next energy bill in the wake of Ofgem’s 54 per cent increase, which came into effect on April 1.
TUI has cancelled more holidays and flights to Sri Lanka due to ongoing political and economic instability.
A useful energy calculator may help householders save hundreds on their electricity and gas bills amid the energy price cap rise.
Martin Lewis has issued urgent advice on those switching energy tariffs — on the day it was announced the energy price cap will rise massively. The cap is set to rise by a huge 42 percent in October.
Brits can expect to see their household bills increase again in October, with the energy price cap set to dramatically rise for a second time. In April, energy prices soared across the country as the cap rose from £1,277 up to £1,971 – an increase of £693 a year.
Energy bills could sky-rocketto £2,800 in October for millions of households, the energy regulator Ofgem has warned.
With the cost of living crisis making an impact on almost everybody, you may be looking for quick and easy ways to cut back which won’t impact you as much. A seemingly simple thing to do which you may consider could be to cut your pension contributions. This is advised against, however, as it could seriously affect you in the long run.
A single mum-of-five whose energy bills soared to £760 a month said she now has to choose between food and heating and is forced to use candles for light.
People are facing huge hikes in their direct debits to energy companies amid claims of an epidemic of "inaccurate" smart meter readings.
A 73-year-old was shocked to discover her energy bills had soared by as much as £4,480 a month amid the cost of living crisis. Mum-of-three Phyllis Kennedy was used to paying just £120 per month for her bills before it skyrocketed to a whopping £4,600.
Tesco Clubcard holders are being made aware that many vouchers issued in 2020 are set to expire in just two weeks. It has been reported as much as £17million from vouchers issued two years ago remains unspent.
Millions of householders are receiving their new energy bills and those homes supplied by Shell might find the amount they pay has risen drastically.
National Grid will share some of the excess cash it has made from electricity cables to Europe ahead of schedule as regulator Ofgem and others try to help keep bills pushed down.
The head of Ofgem has warned that Scots households should anticipate another raise in energy prices this year.