MILLIONS of Brits will have to fork out up to £96 more for their energy bill after a raft of energy companies have hiked prices up.
Scottish Power, EDF, and EOn customers could see their bills jump up by up to 9% as suppliers up prices in line with Ofgem’s new £1,138 energy price cap.
1
The regulator announced earlier this month it was upping the maximum price suppliers can charge for gas and electricity from £1,042 a year to £1,138 a year.
The cap affects around 11million households on standard variable tariffs.
Around 4million households on prepayment meters will also see bills rise by £87, to £1,156.
The move has led energy giants to up their prices from April 1.
What to do if you can’t pay your bills
FALLING behind on your energy bills can be extremely stressful.
If you’re struggling to pay what you owe, contact your supplier as soon as possible.
Your provider has to help you come up with a solution, and you should be able to negotiate a deal that works for you both.
One option is to agree a payment plan where you pay off your debts in affordable instalments.
You may be able to pay off your debts directly from your benefits through the Fuel Direct Scheme.
A fixed amount will automatically be taken to cover what you owe plus your usage.
To be eligible, you must be getting one of the following benefits:
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income support
- income-related employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit (but only if you’re not working)
If you cannot come to an agreement with your supplier, they may try to force you to get a prepayment meter installed.
In very rare cases, where you refuse to negotiate, your supplier might threaten you with disconnection.
EDF customers will pay an extra £96 a year, up from £1,042 to £1,138.
Customers on prepayment meters could also see their bill increase by upto £87.
Instead of paying £1,069, these customers will see prices rise 8% after EDF bumped prices up to meet the £1,156 price cap.
However, how much each individual customer will pay will ultimately vary on their consumption and payment method.
The spokesperson added: “In the face of sharp increases in the costs to supply energy, we have already seen two suppliers collapse this year and as a sustainable, long-term business it is critical that we reflect the costs we face.
“We promise our customers that we will continue to offer a range of long-term, fixed tariffs, that guarantee a consistent price of energy for the duration of the tariff.”
EOn has also increased prices by the same amount as EDF to meet the price cap too.
Customers paying for both gas and electricity on a standard variable tariff could see their bill rise to £1,138, up 9% from £1,042.
This means these customers could be paying £96 more a year.
Scottish Power has also confirmed to The Sun that is it to increase prices.
Customers on standard variable tariffs – roughly a third of the supplier’s customers – will be paying a maximum of £1,138 a year for their energy bill.
Scottish Power hasn’t confirmed exactly how much more customers will be paying per year, but we have asked for more details and we will update you as soon as we have more information.
It comes after British Gas also announced a rise of £97.
Around 2.3million customers could see their yearly bill rise from £1,041 to £1,138 after the energy giant hiked its price cap up to meet Ofgem’s.
Ofgem urged households to shop around for the cheapest energy deals when it announced the price cap rise.
It said families can save an average of £150 a year by going for a fixed-rate tariff.
According to EnergyHelpline.com, the cheapest fixed deal currently available is the £890 a year Fleming tariff from Green.
PIG OUT
Marks and Spencer’s Easter 2021 range includes a GIANT chocolate Percy Pig
WIPED OUT
Working mum on Universal Credit in thousands of pounds in debt due to rules
FINAL SLICE
Full list of 22 Prezzo branches closing down – see if your local is affected
STAMPED OUT
When does the stamp duty holiday end and will it be extended?
EXTRA CREDIT
MoneySavingExpert warns 1million people losing £3,000 a year pension credit
NO JAB, NO JOB
Can I be fired if I don’t get the coronavirus vaccine? Your rights explained
If you’re struggling to pay your bills, we’ve rounded up seven ways to cut energy costs and save HUNDREDS of pounds a year.
Plus, here is how to get help paying your energy bills – and save over £1,000.
If you’re a pensioner, you can receive annual one-off winter fuel payments from the government of between £100 and £300.
Energy price cap to rise to £1,138 a year – but switch now to save £150
