Citizens Advice published energy affordability research for Wales on 9 October 2024, setting out its view that households in Wales continue to need greater protection from high energy prices as the price cap increases1. The publication, Energy Affordability Autumn 2024, was issued in both English and Welsh1.
The body said sustained high energy costs and reduced support mean thousands of households remain concerned that they will fall behind on energy payments, or will have to go without essentials this winter again in order to keep up with bills1.
"As the price cap increases, our recent research shows households in Wales continue to need greater protection from high energy prices."
The publication does not set out new figures for Welsh households, nor does it name a specific level for the price cap or a date for the next change. The research document itself is available as a PDF from Citizens Advice, in English and in Welsh1. No breakdown of results by household type, income or region within Wales has been reported1.
Why it matters for households
The price cap sets a limit on the unit rates and standing charges a supplier can charge for default tariffs, so a change in the cap moves the cost of every unit of gas and electricity a home uses. For a household in Wales, the practical effect of the Citizens Advice position is that the affordability question is framed around the gap between what energy costs and what support is available to meet it1. Where that gap is not covered, the body says the consequence is arrears or spending less on other essentials1.
Energy independence for a household rests on the same arithmetic: what a home uses, what it pays per unit, and what it can do to reduce either. The price cap determines the first two for anyone on a default tariff, while policy costs and levies form part of the standing charge regardless of usage. Households in Wales also have Wales-specific help with bills and debt, and Citizens Advice itself operates as one of the energy consumer bodies that households can approach. Working out what individual appliances cost to run is covered in the site's guide to appliance running costs.
What happens next
No further steps, dates or commitments are set out in the publication beyond the research itself1.
Sources1 cited
- Energy Affordability Autumn 2024|Fforddiadwyedd Ynni Hydref 2024 - Citizens Advice, citizensadvice.org.uk