Energy bills rise from today despite price cap and government support
The new price cap comes into effect today
The cost of energy goes up today as the price cap comes into effect from today (1st October).
Originally the price cap was going to increase by 80% which would take the typical bill from £1,971 to £3,549, but Liz Truss announced a price freeze which also comes into effect today.
The average household energy bill will rise to a frozen £2,500 under the energy price guarantee announced by Prime Minister Liz Truss earlier this month.
It's an increase of 27% from the previous price cap, which limited the rate providers can charge customers on a standard variable tariff.
The Government's plan only caps the cost per unit that households pay, with actual bills still determined by how much energy is consumed.
£400 support also introduced from today
Households will also receive a non-repayable £400 payment from the Government as part of the cost-of-living support package, paid directly to energy accounts over six months from October.
It will be paid in instalments of £66 and £67.
Overall, household bills will still be 96% higher than last year.
Cost of living crisis
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.