Price cap crisis as households face another leap in energy bills
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Households face another leap in energy bills from October after the regulator raised the energy price cap, taking the average gas and electricity bill to £3549 a year.
Ofgem approved the £1578 increase on the current figure of £1971 for the average dual-fuel tariff – a rise of 80 per cent.
The cap will be almost treble what it was a year earlier last October, when it was raised to £1277.
A Government Spokesperson said: “We know people are incredibly worried about rising energy bills, following unprecedented gas prices across the continent driven by global events, including Putin’s aggression in Ukraine and his weaponisation of energy in Europe.
“Direct support will continue to reach people’s pockets in the weeks and months ahead, targeted at those who need it most like low-incomes households, pensioners and those with disabilities.
"As part of our £37 billion package of help for households, one in four of all UK households will see £1200 extra support, provided in instalments across the year, and everyone will receive a £400 discount on their energy bills over winter.
“The civil service is also making the appropriate preparations in order to ensure that any additional support or commitments on cost of living can be delivered as quickly as possible when the new Prime Minister is in place.”
Responding SNP Shadow Chancellor Alison Thewliss MP said:“Ofgem’s latest energy price cap announcement will be a devastating hammer blow for millions of struggling households.
"The fact is that this staggering rise will simply be unaffordable for millions and it will consign many to hardship and poverty.
“The UK government must come out of hiding and act now by freezing the energy price cap and bringing forward an emergency Budget with a meaningful package of support to deliver the help households urgently need now.
"While the Tories are more focused on their own narrow interests, many people are worried sick as to how they will afford their bills and if they will have to choose between heating or eating this winter.
"For far too long the UK government has been missing in action as calls for urgent support and intervention mount.
People cannot wait for months in hope that help is coming - they need help now.
“It is vital that the UK government steps up and cancels the rise, recalls Parliament and delivers an emergency Budget without any further delay or excuse.
"With each day it refuses to step in, the Westminster government is consigning more people to hardship and making the case for Scotland to become an independent country with the powers and levers to act.”
One example of the issues this will cause has been cited by cancer charity Maggie's whose chief executive Dame Laura Lee said: “Today’s energy price increase is devastating for people with cancer who were already deeply concerned about paying their energy bills – our OnePoll survey just this week showed that 67 per cent of people with cancer already thought heating bills were going to be a problem this winter.
“Let’s not forget people with cancer need to use more heating and electricity as they undergo treatment – while living on a reduced income.
“So today’s news is just added pressure, stress and anxiety for people at a time when they need to be focusing on treatment.
“I am shocked that people living with cancer today are being forced to worry about their basic needs being met.
“We can help though, and I urge anyone worried about paying their heating bills to visit their nearest Maggie’s.”
