Check for energy help this summer to beat higher fuel bills during winter months
31.07.2023 - 13:01
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Households across Scotland are being urged to seek support and advice after the boss of British Gas owner warned energy bills are likely to stay high for the foreseeable future. Centrica chief executive Chris O’Shea said earlier this month that while prices are starting to drop they will remain significantly above the longer-term average.
Advice Direct Scotland, the national energy advice service for Scotland, is encouraging people to check grant and benefit entitlements over the summer to help keep costs down this winter. Ofgem’s new price cap replaced the UK Government’s £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee at the start of July and will see households on a standard tariff, with typical energy usage, pay £2,074 a year for annual gas and electricity bills.
However, it’s important to be aware that this figure is not the maximum households could pay for their energy bills - use more and you’ll pay more, similarly, use less and you should pay less.
The energy regulator recently warned that it is unlikely for prices to return to the levels seen before the energy crisis began.
The latest predictions from analysts at Cornwall Insight suggest that energy bills will remain ‘relatively stable’ but significantly above pre-pandemic levels for the foreseeable future. The energy experts are forecasting that Ofgem’s next price cap in October will fall to £1,860 for a typical dual fuel household.
Advice Direct Scotland, runs the energyadvice.scot service providing free, impartial and practical advice on energy bills for anyone living in Scotland. They can also be contacted on freephone 0808 196 8660, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
Households self-rationing energy due to the cost of living crisis can get help and support from