{"id":43663,"date":"2024-10-01T11:34:07","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T11:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/people-urged-to-read-meter-as-bills-rise\/"},"modified":"2024-10-01T11:34:08","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T11:34:08","slug":"people-urged-to-read-meter-as-bills-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/people-urged-to-read-meter-as-bills-rise\/","title":{"rendered":"People urged to read meter as bills rise"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Billpayers have been urged to give an accurate meter reading as gas and electricity price rises take effect.<\/p>\n

A household in England, Wales and Scotland using a typical amount of gas and electricity will now pay \u00a31,717 a year, a 10% rise to the annual bill of \u00a3149.<\/p>\n

Experts have encouraged people to submit a meter reading as the change comes in so they can avoid being charged on estimated usage at the higher rate.<\/p>\n

It comes as winter approaches without extra cost-of-living payments for those on low incomes, and as winter fuel payments are withdrawn for about 10 million pensioners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Price cap changes<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Energy prices for about 27 million homes in England, Wales and Scotland are governed by a price cap, calculated by the energy regulator Ofgem. It is set every three months and affects the price paid for each unit of gas and electricity.<\/p>\n

Under the cap, prices have fallen twice this year – in April and July – but now, at the start of October, they have increased by about \u00a312 a month for a typical user.<\/p>\n

The final bill will depend on the amount of energy used, but to estimate the effect on annual costs, billpayers can add 10% to their current bill.<\/p>\n

By reading their meters and submitting those to their supplier, price comparison website Uswitch says billpayers can avoid being charged in the short-term for energy they have not used, or having a bill based on an estimated reading at a higher rate. Those with operational smart meters have the reading taken automatically.<\/p>\n

Standing charges have risen by one penny a day for gas and also for electricity, but the regulator is considering reforming the system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The price cap is illustrated by Ofgem in terms of an annual bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity. It affects those on default, variable tariffs, not those who have fixed a price for a set period.<\/p>\n

That annual bill is lower than last winter, but charities say many people will struggle to cover the cost. <\/p>\n

Some households have built up debt to their suppliers. Ofgem said nearly \u00a33.7bn is owed collectively.<\/p>\n

Steve Vaid, chief executive of the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said: “This only highlights what we have been saying for some time – without urgent support for households facing unaffordable arrears, energy debt will only rise further.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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James McMahon says the rise in prices is disappointing<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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James McMahon, from Blackburn, is slightly behind on his gas bill, which he said he was “not proud about” but unavoidable.<\/p>\n

“[The price rise] is a big disappointment. You feel it inside,” he said.<\/p>\n

“You can be big and proud and say I can manage, and make that bit of extra money. But when you take everything else we are being put through, it is just that bit too much.”<\/p>\n

Some households will have less support because the final cost-of-living payment was made to eight million people on means-tested benefits in February.<\/p>\n

For pensioners, the previously universal winter fuel payment, worth up to \u00a3300, will now be paid only to those on low incomes who receive certain benefits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The payment is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland and the Scottish government confirmed it will also no longer provide winter fuel payments to all pensioners.<\/p>\n

While some previous recipients say they do not need it, charities and many MPs are concerned about pensioners still on a relatively small income who will miss out.<\/p>\n

Forecasters have given some comfort with a change to their prediction for energy bills when the next cap comes into force in January.<\/p>\n

Consultancy Cornwall Insight, which analyses the sector, has predicted a 1% fall in January to an annual bill of \u00a31,697 for a household using a typical amount of energy.<\/p>\n

Energy companies have said a voluntary initiative they have run in the last four years has identified vulnerable customers.<\/p>\n

The sector’s trade body, Energy UK, said extra support totalling \u00a3500m had been given to those in need.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In specific terms, the latest change in prices means:<\/p>\n