How does it make sense when the media says that average households will save £117 a year with the new OFGEN energy price cap? Especially when the price cap changes four times a year?

Am I the only one who notices it goes up just in time for winter and comes down when it gets warmer (though not by as much as it seems to go up (this time only 7%))?

#ofgen #ukpolitics #EnergyPriceCap

South Wales electricity bills surge 154% since 2008, new figures show

Households across South West Wales are being hit with record energy costs this autumn, as the latest Ofgem rates confirm standing charges at unprecedented levels and long‑term analysis shows bills have risen more than 150% since 2008.

The average domestic electricity bill in South Wales has climbed from £444 in 2008 to £1,129 in 2024, according to UK Government data analysed by OHMS Renewables. That’s an increase of over £680 in just 16 years, leaving families in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Bridgend struggling to absorb the extra costs.

Direct Debit customers — the majority of households — have seen bills climb by 168%, while prepayment customers, often among the most financially vulnerable, have still faced rises of 132%.

South Wales electricity bill increases (2008–2024)

OHMS Renewables energy analyst, David Walker said:

“Households are paying far more today for the same level of consumption. Although price caps and efficiency measures have provided some protection, the underlying trend remains deeply concerning.”

Current costs in South Wales (Oct–Dec 2025)

The Energy Price Cap rose by 2% on 1 October, setting the average annual dual‑fuel bill for Direct Debit households at £1,755, up from £1,720. The increase was largely driven by higher standing charges — the fixed daily costs just for being connected — which now average £320 a year for Direct Debit customers, up from £296. That’s what households pay before they even switch on a light or boil a kettle.

Regional disparities

Across the UK, bills have risen by an average of 163% since 2008. But South Wales households are among those hit hardest, with only Northern Scotland and North Wales seeing sharper increases. Factors such as rural grid maintenance costs, higher heating demand in coastal areas and limited access to competitive tariffs are thought to contribute to the sustained rises in Wales.

Coping with costs

Experts say households can take steps to manage bills, including:

• Switching from prepayment to direct debit where possible
• Choosing fixed‑rate tariffs for stability
• Improving insulation and draught‑proofing
• Upgrading to energy‑efficient appliances
• Checking for support schemes such as ECO4

#directDebit #electricBill #electricity #electricityBill #energy #energyPriceCap #energyEfficiency #fixedRateTariff #Ofgem #StandingCharges

Oh look, something else the new Labour government will disappoint us on...can't imagine why they're doing so poorly in the Polls....

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/oct/01/martin-lewis-energy-price-cap-cheaper-deal

#WinterFuelPayments #EnergyPriceCap #Labour #MartinLewis #UKPOL #Ukpolitics

The pensioners pushed into fuel poverty with Ofgem price cap increase | The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ofgem-price-cap-pensioners-rachel-reeves-b2600827.html

#Poverty
#FuelPoverty
#Ofgem
#Pensioners
#EnergyPriceCap
#ChronicallyIll
#EnergyBills
#Reeves
#PensionCredit
#WinterFuelPayments
#Labour
#WarmThisWinter
#MeansTesting
#Greens
#Tories

Ofgem energy price cap could have been £500 lower, campaigners say | Morning Star
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ofgem-energy-price-cap-could-have-been-ps500-lower-campaigners-say

#Ofgem
#EnergyPriceCap
#EnergyBills
#EnergyPoverty
#FuelPoverty
#Poverty
#VAT
#RemoveVATFromEnergyBills
#EndVATOnEnergyBills
#SocialTarrifs
#WarmThisWinter
#Insulation
#RenewableEnergy
#HelpToRepaySchemeNeeded

#EnergyBills: #StandingCharges are not standing still

Despite a 12.3% cut in April’s #EnergyPriceCap, there is an important fixed element in your bill that is rising again
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/mar/30/energy-bills-standing-charges-are-not-standing-still
#ToryPoliciesInAction #Privatisation #Greed

UK households urged to submit meter readings ahead of energy price cut

Martin Lewis among those encouraging consumers to make a note so they do not overpay when cap reduce

Millions of households are being urged to submit meter readings to their energy supplier this weekend to ensure they do not overpay when cheaper prices come in on Monday.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/mar/28/uk-households-urged-to-submit-meter-readings-ahead-of-energy-price-cut

#EnergyPrices #EnergyPriceCap #electricity #gas #utilities

The UK 'energy price cap' is reducing in April, so bills are expected to go down.

But... for me, my My estimated saving is tiny, because...

"Gas standing charge increased from 14.799p 31.624p per day. "

#UK #Energy #EnergyPriceCap #Gas #Electricity