Changes to the support for energy costs:
Changes to the Energy Price Cap
On 25 May, Ofgem announced the price cap for the period 1 July to 30 September 2023. This means a household with typical consumption on a dual electricity and gas bill will pay:
- £2,074 a year if they pay by direct debit
- £2,211 a year if they pay by standard credit (on receipt of bill)
- £2,077 a year if they have a prepayment meter
Prices are worked out per unit of energy used. If you use more you will pay more. The exact unit rate and standing charge will be slightly different in different regions.
The support under the Energy Price Guarantee meant an average consumer’s bill was £2,500. This applies until 1 July 2023. However, every household also got £400 under the Energy Bill Support Scheme. This was made over 6 payments between October 2022 and March 2023. If you take into account this additional support, depending on usage, you may not see a reduction in your energy bill compared to last winter. Some consumers may feel like they are paying more. How the price cap will affect you will depend on your individual circumstances.
Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS) prepayment meter (PPM) vouchers
A reminder that the deadline for redeeming EBBS vouchers is approaching. You must use the vouchers by 30 June.
People who have a traditional prepayment meter (PPM) should have got their vouchers by text message, email or post which are valid for 3 months. All vouchers must be used by 30 June 2023. If a voucher has expired, you should contact your supplier and ask for a new one before the scheme ends on 30 June. Some prepayment meter customers will have received the discount automatically by special action message – if this is the case, you shouldn’t need to take any action.
It’s important that you check whether you still need to redeem vouchers and take action now – in case there are limits on how much you can top up your meter in one go.
Tom Togher
June 2023.