Energy

Smart home tech provider Hive is to switch off the technology for its security devices and leak sensors by 2025 leaving existing customers unable to use them. The shake-up has angered many - some of whom only recently purchased the items, which often cost £100s. But some can get refunds. 

Action Fraud, which collects reports of fraud on behalf of the police, has issued a warning for people to beware of fake text messages claiming to be from Ofgem, the energy regulator, which offers bogus £400 rebates. But this is a scam and you should not reply to it.

A technical hitch at energy supplier Bulb means some customers will have their direct debit payments taken later than usual, and so users should make sure they have enough funds in their accounts to cover the bill when it is due.

Hundreds of people say they've been wrongly sent letters by a debt collector on behalf of energy firms including British Gas and E.on, asking for payment of unpaid bills. But DON'T ignore these letters even if you don't owe the cash – we'll take you through step-by-step help on what to do if you get one. 

The Government has proposed a shake-up to the Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme in Scotland that could see an additional 50,000 households receive the rebate - and the amount people get is set to increase too. 

British Gas has admitted that millions of smart meter customers have been unable to use the energy giant's app or website to check their gas and electricity usage since February due to a "glitch". The failure has meant people have been unable to track how much they are spending at a time when energy bills have spiked.

British Gas has doubled the amount of emergency credit available to customers on their gas and electricity prepayment meters from £5 to £10 in the wake of the recent spike in energy prices, although the energy giant previously had one of the lowest limits. 

About 20 million households in England – those with homes in council tax bands A-D – will get a £150 rebate in April, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced. The move is designed to help support households as energy bills are set to rocket by a massive £693 a year for millions on the back of a new price cap announcement. Similar support schemes have also been announced in Scotland and Wales.

Customers of British Gas, E.on, EDF, Shell and Octopus have been unable to submit meter readings as people rush to do so before the Friday 1 April price hike. But if you can't do so, DON'T panic – just make sure you take a picture of your reading and submit it as soon as you can.

On Friday 1 April, the harsh reality of the huge energy price hikes will be felt by millions of people. As we've been warning for months, the energy price cap will rise by an average 54%, and the vast majority of people will see their bills soar. Here, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis provides his latest energy briefing for those that pay by direct debit in a video (with transcript).