Energy Bills and the Price Cap News: page 6
- December 2024
Ofgem publishes consultation on a debt relief scheme for energy debt accrued during the energy crisis
Ofgem has opened a consultation on a one-off, time limited debt relief scheme for energy debt built up during the energy crisis, with responses due by 6 February 2025.
Ofgem consults on delivery, funding and eligibility options for an energy debt relief scheme
Ofgem has opened a consultation on whether to create an energy debt relief scheme, setting out delivery, audit, funding and eligibility options for support aimed at crisis-era arrears.
Ofgem consults on a one-off Energy Debt Relief Scheme
Ofgem consulted in December 2024 on a one-off Energy Debt Relief Scheme that could support up to 2.3 million customers and write off between £0.5bn and £1bn of crisis-era energy debt.
Ofgem launches energy price cap consultations
Ofgem opened consultations in December 2024 on the energy price cap, including one on supplier operating costs and debt allowances, drawing a response from the British Gas Energy Trust.
Ofgem published its Debt Strategy
Ofgem has set out how it will reset historic crisis debt, raise debt standards and reform debt management, with a Debt Relief Scheme expected to help up to 200,000 households.
- November 2024
Citizens Advice urges Ofgem to limit back-billing to six months for smart meter customers
Citizens Advice has called on Ofgem to cut the back-billing window to six months for smart meter customers, after helping with more than 52,000 energy billing problems in 2024.
Ember reports rising gas costs driving up GB electricity prices
Ember reports that gas prices rising through 2024 have pushed up the cost of gas-fired electricity in Great Britain and fed into the 1.2% increase in the energy price cap.
Ofgem sets price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2025
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2025 at £1,738 a year for a typical Direct Debit dual fuel household, a rise of £21 or 1.2% on the current level.
EDF launches 12-month fixed tariff priced below the January price cap
EDF has launched a 12-month fixed tariff at £1,608 for a typical direct debit household, which it says is £130 below the level the January price cap is expected to reach.
The autumn 2024 energy price cap disclosure consultation closed
Ofgem's call for input on disclosure arrangements for the autumn 2024 energy price cap consultation closed on 20 November 2024, covering how models and data are shared with stakeholders.
Energy UK publishes Winter 2024 Commitment for household customers
Energy UK and 15 suppliers covering almost the entire market have published a Winter 2024 Commitment setting out financial help, debt advice and service standards for household customers.
Welsh Government announces additional £700,000 for Fuel Bank Foundation schemes
The Welsh Government has added £700,000 to Fuel Bank Foundation fuel voucher and Heat Fund schemes, bringing support for 2024/25 to £1.2m for households that pre-pay for energy.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's Consumer Vulnerability Strategy Refresh
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's refreshed Consumer Vulnerability Strategy but pressed for stronger action on energy debt, back billing, the priority services register and standing charges.
British Gas Energy Trust reopens Energy Support Fund for winter applications
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Energy Support Fund for winter, offering grants of up to £2,000 to British Gas customers in England, Scotland and Wales who are behind on their bills.
Another increase in the energy price cap announced
The energy price cap rose again in the latest announcement, with Energy UK and Ember both linking the increase to rising gas costs and setting it against the Government's Warm Homes Plan.
Social tariff working group established
The Scottish Government set up a social tariff working group in November 2024 to co-design a deliverable policy with suppliers and third sector organisations, and sent its recommendations to the UK Government in March 2025.
- October 2024
NEA responds to Autumn Budget 2024 warning on energy bills and debt
National Energy Action said the Autumn Budget will not reduce the effect of unaffordable energy bills or record energy debt this winter, warning of likely bill rises in January.
British Gas Energy Trust and Post Office launch winter pop-up events
The British Gas Energy Trust and the Post Office are running free drop-in pop-up events at post offices in seven UK cities this winter, offering budget planning, energy debt advice and grant access help.
Citizens Advice publishes Wales energy affordability research as price cap increases
Citizens Advice published research on 9 October 2024 showing households in Wales still need greater protection from high energy prices as the price cap rose, with thousands worried about falling behind on bills.
ECIU analysis finds EPC F homes pay £385 more than EPC C homes this winter
ECIU analysis published on 1 October 2024 estimates that homes rated EPC F will pay around £385 more for dual fuel this winter than homes rated EPC C.
Energy price cap set at £1,717 for typical annual consumption
Ofgem's quarterly price cap for October to December 2024 is set at £1,717 a year for a typical dual fuel household, 10 per cent above the previous level and 38 per cent above winter 2021-22.
Price cap changes allow suppliers 11% more profit on standard variable tariffs
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition says price cap changes from October let suppliers earn 11% more profit on standard variable tariffs, part of £483 billion in profits since the bills crisis began.
Public support for energy social tariff surges ahead of the Budget
Opinium polling for the Warm This Winter campaign puts public support for an energy social tariff at 75 per cent, up from 57 per cent before the General Election, ahead of the Budget.
Second phase of debt cost levelisation proposed no earlier than October 2024
Ofgem has opened a statutory consultation on levelling debt-related costs between standard credit and direct debit customers, with a second phase proposed no earlier than October 2024.
Speak, Seek, Save debt advice campaign launches for winter
Energy UK's Winter 2024 Commitment sets out supplier support for household customers from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025, alongside the Citizens Advice Speak, Seek, Save debt advice campaign.
- September 2024
Ofgem announces consumer energy debt has reached £3.69 billion
Ofgem has reported that consumer energy debt reached £3.69 billion, up £400 million in a quarter, with National Energy Action calling the record level hugely alarming.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem standing charges options paper
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that shifting suppliers' fixed costs from standing charges to unit rates would penalise households with high essential energy use, including those in Scotland.
Charities report rising energy debt levels in Scotland
Charities funded by the British Gas Energy Trust report rising energy debt in Scotland, with Citizens Advice clients averaging £2,300 in arrears and rural cases reaching £3,000.
EDF launches cheapest energy-only fixed tariffs among major suppliers
EDF has launched a one-year fixed tariff at £1,649 and a two-year fixed tariff at £1,669, both below October 2024's £1,717 price cap, alongside a one-year tariff tracking £50 below the cap.
Individuals and Families Fund reopens with grants up to £1,700
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Individuals and Families Fund, offering energy debt grants of up to £1,700 to British Gas and non-British Gas customers with credit or pre-payment meter arrears.