Beauty buffs have long hailed Charlotte Tilbury products as being some of the best on the market. But they don't come cheap, especially the brand's iconic Magic Cream, which costs a cool £79 for a 50ml bottle.
15.03.2024 - 19:21 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Martin Lewis has explained the 'frustrating' reason energy billpayers are not likely to see standing charges fall anytime soon.
The money saving expert has described standing charges - the charges paid to suppliers by each household daily for being connected to a gas or electricity supply - as a "moral hazard" and has long been campaigning for the system to be overhauled.
Despite the price cap falling from April, meaning households will pay less on their energy bills, standing charges are being hiked. Mr Lewis said he often gets asked why the government won't just reduce the charges - but he says it's not that simple.
READ MORE: Martin Lewis warns 'millions are wasting money' as he urges savers to take action
Mr Lewis explained to his followers on X, formerly Twitter, that energy regulator Ofgem sets the standing charges, which are dictated by the price cap. To lower standing charges, Ofgem would also have to raise the unit rates, he said. While this would mean that people who saved more energy would be able to save more money, it would put vulnerable users who have high energy use at a disadvantage.
Mr Lewis said to fix the problem, the government would have to provide targeted support to those who would suffer from the higher unit rates. But with Ofgem unable to control that aspect of the situation, the regulator is unlikely to decide to make the change.
He told his followers: "The obvious path through this is of course... A) lower standing charges as it's a moral hazard and B) at the same time provide specific help to those vulnerable higher users when you do. The problem is Ofgem is responsible for A and the government is responsible for B. Yet these things don't usually work in concert."
He added: "Ofgem
Beauty buffs have long hailed Charlotte Tilbury products as being some of the best on the market. But they don't come cheap, especially the brand's iconic Magic Cream, which costs a cool £79 for a 50ml bottle.
Despite a huge £238 fall in the energy price cap at the start of April, millions of households will remain in debt or abject fuel poverty, according to Ofgem data. Poverty charity National Energy Action has said the ongoing energy crisis 'cannot be the new normal'.
When it comes to skincare, I think we are all guilty of gravitating towards the latest releases on the market for their supposed revolutionary technology. But actually, there's a reason why some products that have been around for basically forever continue to sell really well.
Households feeling the strain from the past few years of eye-watering energy prices should soon feel some of that financial pressure lift as energy bills fall by around 12 per cent from April. But not everyone will feel the full effect of this price drop if they forget to do one important thing this weekend.
Personal finance guru Martin Lewis has spoken out on his podcast about the 'moral hazard' of increasing standing charges on energy bills from next month, which he likened to a modern-day 'poll tax' on ordinary people.
Martin Lewis has given his latest expertise on the likelihood of motorists getting a big payout.
Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning for easyJet customers as he warns frequent flyers to "act quick" if they want to take advantage of some cheap flights.
Financial expert Martin Lewis has criticised a key part of the modern tax system that has ballooned in recent years and can affect the poorest households the most, Council Tax. Despite the tax being based on bad data, some of which was collected by two people driving around in second gear and guessing the value of each property, most homes are still taxed based on their value more than 30 years ago.
Stamp prices are set to rise by by 10p from next month. The Royal Mail confirmed it will increase the price of first-class stamps to £1.25 and second-class stamps at 86p.
Martin Lewis is warning Brits to stock up on a household staple before in the next two weeks.
Later this year, households with £5,000 in savings will be able to invest in a new type of ISA. The Government has confirmed the introduction of a new British ISA to encourage investment in UK companies and boost the City.
Martin Lewis has dished out his latest advice to help mobile and broadband customers save money as companies get set to hike prices.
Around one in five people across the UK are set to receive a massive cash boost from next month, as the new State Pension rates are set to increase by as much as £902 each year for people on the full benefit.
Martin Lewis is urging millions of people to take action as they risk missing out on more than £1,000.
The MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis is urging people of a certain age to pay money into a special bank account soon if they want to get additional help purchasing their first home.
Martin Lewis has issued a word of advice to everyone born between 1985 and 2006, telling them to put £1 in a savings account quickly.
Martin Lewis has issued a warning to parents who may be confused over the changes to Child Benefit.
This Morning viewers have been flocking to social media as they begged new host Cat Deeley to change one habit. The presenter returned for her second stint at the helm of the ITV daytime show as the new permanent co-host on Tuesday (March 12).
Josie Gibson started off her week on This Morning with another enviably stylish outfit.The ITV star, 39, looked stunning in a spring-ready top on Monday (March 4), when she presented alongside Martin Lewis. Never one to shy away from colour, Josie donned the Karen Millen Premium Soft Touch Jersey Long Sleeve Top in blue, £44 here (was £55), which is going straight to the top of our wish list. It's crafted from premium jersey material with a stretchy, wrap-over ruched design that creates a flattering effect across the front.
Martin Lewis has admitted he is 'disappointed' as a change he had campaigned for to help first-time buyers was dismissed in the Spring Budget. Jeremy Hunt delivered his plans in the House of Commons on Wednesday (March 6) with some key cuts to tax and spending announced.