Utilities

MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has called on the two remaining Conservative Party leadership candidates to take immediate action over spiralling energy costs on the day they enter Number 10 – otherwise the risk to people's mental and physical health will be "unthinkable". Martin's plea comes as energy regulator Ofgem today confirmed the energy price cap will rise by 80%.

Energy bills will rise by about £1,600/year on average for 24 million households in October, as regulator Ofgem confirmed the largest ever hike to the energy price cap this morning. We've been warning for months this catastrophic rise was coming, and now we know how bad it'll be. Here's what you need to know – including what you'll pay under the new rates and whether it's worth fixing.

Millions of people are facing "unaffordable" energy bill rises from October, as the price cap is now predicted to rise from £1,971 a year to £3,582 a year for someone on typical use. A further 19% rise is expected in January 2023, taking typical bills to £4,266 a year, according to the latest forecast from energy analysts Cornwall Insight. 

The price cap on how much energy suppliers can charge households will now change every three months from October, instead of every six months, regulator Ofgem has confirmed. Due to the current high wholesale energy costs, it means we're likely to see price rises TWICE this winter. 

The British Gas Energy Trust, a charity funded by British Gas, has today (1 July) reopened applications for grants of up to £1,500 to help people clear debts owed to their energy provider – and you don't have to be a British Gas customer to benefit. But funds are limited, so it's best to apply as soon as possible. Here's what you need to know.

Energy suppliers have massively hiked the early exit fees on their cheapest fixed deals amid the current energy crisis. You could be charged up to a staggering £600 to leave a fixed deal early, so if you're thinking of fixing your energy right now, make sure you check the exit penalties before signing up as getting it wrong could be costly. 

Around 29 million 4G Apple and Samsung smartphone owners in the UK could be entitled to a payout of up to £30 if a collective action case by Which? is successful - although there are no guarantees. It comes after the consumer group claimed inflated manufacturing costs were passed onto consumers.

The energy price cap, which governs what most pay for their energy, is set to change every three months from October under plans announced by Ofgem today. The regulator also revealed it will make the 'market stabilisation charge' harsher. This is a charge levied on firms acquiring new customers with cheaper fixed deals, which will likely make it harder for suppliers to undercut the price cap.

At least 30% of British Gas, Octopus Energy and Shell Energy customers who were in credit and on price-capped tariffs told the UK's biggest consumer website, MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE), that they've seen their direct debits double – even though the price cap rise is half that, at 54%. Across all firms, 25% of customers in this situation reported direct debits doubling or more.

Vodafone's Voxi brand has expanded who is eligible for its discounted mobile tariff to include those claiming disability living allowance (DLA) and personal independent payments (PIP). It means they can now get unlimited data, calls and texts for £10 a month. However, if you don't use a lot of data there are cheaper Sim deals on offer, so make sure you do your research first.