Sadly for the United Kingdom public it is that time of year again where we have to deal with energy companies hiking the price of gas and electricity and the timing always feels illogical right now as we quickly head towards summer, lighter and longer days, and a natural increase in sun strength and warmth.
But here we are again and it is fully expected that the price cap will rise by an estimated 5-7% in April, with an additional rise expected again in July. This is despite the price cap already rising by 1% on January 1st. Now, with it being believed that around 80+% of homes in England, Wales and Scotland are on standard flexible tariffs with energy suppliers, it will again be quite a noticeable increase in monthly bills after many had already cut costs during winter owing to the struggles that they faced.
The January rise took typical usage bills to £1738, and for EDF typical use customers in April, they are predicted to go up 7% to a whopping £1855, before falling back to £1839 in July. However, British Gas are expected to only raise prices by 5% in April (to £1825), but July could see another rise to £1855).
For those who enjoy the distraction of a small flutter or casino games like online blackjack real money, we all need to switch off occasionally but particularly at times like this remember your limits as nobody has the kind of luck that would offset the price rises we are again looking at.
What it basically means is unless you can get yourself on a fixed rate deal (which many cannot for a wide variety of reasons), it does matter who you are with as you will on balance be paying roughly the same, irrespective of which company you are signed up to. Obviously with a bit of crystal ball gazing, prices are only going to continue to rise until the Government finally gets a grip on the obscene profits being made by what is effectively a State sponsored cartel monopoly given the lack of true competition, and stops talking tough on Green Energy and removes the requirement for electricity prices to be set purely on gas production.
We are also seeing movement in the rip off standing charge side of bills, but so far Ofgem seem determined to make it far more confusing for consumers, whilst the energy companies continue to maximise their own profit regardless of their proposals for greater fairness moving forward.
For now though, households should be motivated to make full use of warmer days to heat their home, and with us getting lighter, longer days, switch your tumble dryers off and get back to using your washing lines as that will save a significant sum in the next six odd months alone.
It also means trawling the internet once more to ensure that you are on the best deals possible when you have the option of switching, and again looking into the various help that you may be entitled to receive via energy companies themselves, or local Councils and authorities as the Household Support Fund has now been extended to March 2026.
Best deals don’t just apply to energy issues, telephone, mobile, broadband, television packages and the like can also represent important savings for the 12 months ahead, and the vast majority of us will need to make them.
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