Utilities

Octopus Energy finally took on all 1.5 million Bulb customers last night (Tuesday 20 December), after the agreement to transfer the failed firm completed. The takeover deal was initially agreed in October, but was delayed after other energy firms challenged the sale process. If you're a Bulb customer, here's what you need to know.

The Government has changed its guidance on how energy suppliers should apply the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) discount to Economy 7 tariffs from April. It comes after MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis raised the issue with the Energy Secretary, as many Economy 7 users saw bills rise unfairly in January.

More than 110 organisations have so far joined Martin Lewis and MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) in calling on the Chancellor to keep The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) at a typical £2,500 a year, rather than hiking it to £3,000 a year from 1 April 2023 as planned. MSE founder Martin Lewis set out the campaign call in a letter to Jeremy Hunt earlier this month.

The Energy Price Cap will fall by 23% in April 2023, to £3,280/year for a typical household, but energy bills are currently controlled by the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) – and this is set to rise by 20% from 1 April.  MoneySavingExpert.com's founder Martin Lewis explained what you need to know NOW about energy bills on ITV's Good Morning Britain. Watch the clip below or read on to find out more. 

Scottish households on certain benefits can get £150 off their energy bills under the Warm Home Discount scheme – but, unlike in England and Wales, many in Scotland still need to apply. Yet payments are made on a first come, first served basis and some suppliers are starting to close their schemes – so apply as soon as possible to ensure you don't miss out.

M&S Energy has announced that it is exiting the market, with existing customers set to have their accounts switched to Octopus Energy in April.

Last February, we told you about a decent one-year fixed deal from E.on for existing customers that many took advantage of - and would have saved a significant sum as energy bills soared. That tariff is now coming to end, and with the energy market still in crisis, we take a look at your options.

All energy suppliers were found to have weaknesses when it comes to customer service and complaints, according to regulator Ofgem's latest report on energy providers' performance. E.on was the worst offender, and the regulator has ordered it to make immediate improvements or face further action.

The average annual water bill in England and Wales is set to rise by around £31 a year (7.5%) from April, industry body Water UK has announced today. But prices will vary depending on where you live and some will see much larger increases. Meanwhile, those in Scotland will see bills rise by £19 a year (5%).

Over a million households and businesses have joined energy firm schemes that pay you to cut your usage at peak times, with two official energy cutting events taking place last week. Below we explain how these schemes work, which energy suppliers are offering them and how you can sign up.