The Government has responded to calls for slashing energy bills this winter. The average household now pays £1,717 annually for a direct debit dual fuel account in line with the Ofgem price cap.
From the beginning of October, the price cap jumped up 10 percent, increasing from the previous £1,568 a year. With heating costs set to rise through the chillier season ahead, Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy challenged Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to "meet with Ofgem to discuss the potential merits of reducing the energy price cap for winter 2024-25".
In response, energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh spelled out what is being done to keep bills down. She said: "The Government is committed to ensuring vulnerable households are supported with their .
READ MORE:
"We are looking at all options on how to make energy bills more affordable for these households. In the short-term, we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 annual rebate on energy bills for eligible low-income households."
She also pointed out the Government is working with suppliers to extend extra help: "We are also working with energy suppliers to ensure they are providing additional support to vulnerable customers that are struggling with bills." The Warm Home Discount provides a set £150 chunk off your electricity bill, directly paid to your supplier who then takes it off your bill.
Pension Credit recipients may qualify for the discount, if they have a low income and high energy costs, provided their supplier participates in the scheme. Pension Credit claimants are also eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment—a £200 or £300 boon for those on certain means-tested benefits like , Child Tax Credit, and Working Tax Credit.
In discussing the specifics of the energy price cap, Ms Fahnbulleh clarified: "The energy price cap is set by Ofgem and there are different costs included in the price cap, such as the wholesale cost of energy. Any changes to these costs will affect how much the price cap will be each time it is reviewed, and the main driver of the price cap increase for the period 1 October to 31 December 2024 was an increase in wholesale energy prices."
However, she also said that in light of the current unpredictability of the energy market, it's vital there is a focus on energy security at home. She emphasised: "The Government believes the only way to protect consumers permanently is to speed up the transition towards homegrown clean energy and reduce our reliance on volatile international fossil fuel markets."
You may also like
Giorgi Mamardashvili sends 'leave the team' warning to Alisson for Liverpool spot
Escape to the Country's Ginny Buckley's life from children to age as she celebrates son
Nayab Singh Saini to be sworn in as Haryana CM for second term on Thursday
Stubble burning: SC slams Haryana, Punjab on air pollution, summons chief secretaries
Pensioner says 'I thought I was going to die' in emotional GMB winter fuel row
Who says a boyfriend earning Rs 42 LPA cannot be frugal? He waits 42 minutes to save Rs 80
Manushi Chhillar shows how to 'never be basic and shine bright'
Cyclone Alert: Severe cyclone threatens Bay of Bengal; potential landfall on October 17
President Murmu Awards Honorary Doctorate in Algeria
"After i resigned, it was BJP leader's moral duty to take back his writ": SP's Awadhesh Prasad on Milkipur bypoll
Royal Family LIVE: Prince Harry and Meghan's triple 'snub' shows 'tide is turning'
I unboxed £85 Glossybox Beauty Advent Calendar that's filled with products worth over £580
Senior official death: BJP holds protest march to CPI(M) district panchayat prez' home
Punjab gram panchayat polls see 77 pc voter turnout: Election Commissioner
Aadhaar Card Tips- Do you not remember your Aadhaar card number, find out with this easy process
J&K CM Omar Abdullah makes Jammu MLA Surinder Choudhary his deputy (Ld)
M6 crash horror as five killed including two children in head-on smash
Union MoS Anupriya Patel addresses 19th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities
Baba Siddique murder: Shooters learnt to operate firearms from YouTube videos
Demolition in Gir Somnath done to remove encroachments: Gujarat govt tells SC