It’s also possible to take regular screenshots of that ‘conversation’ which is a definite way of keeping a record of anything that may be ‘said’ or ‘agreed’. It’s similar to those companies who state that calls are recorded when you phone them, they usually are and are available to you on request if there are any doubts causing problems. That’s older technology now, but use of modern technology is becoming the ‘norm’ and if you know how to use it to your advantage then it’s even better.
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To be honest, it’s not the pending winter that bothers me, it’s afterwards when the present cap is lifted in April.
Resurrecting this thread from LD’s post last October, I would like to show you Martin Lewis’s predictions and advice for what’s likely to happen to us all this October.
It is now predicted that our Gas/Electric will increase by another 51% in October, with another increase next January!!! How on earth are ordinary folk going to manage that sort of money on fuel alone, and that’s without so many increases on just about everything else we need too.
As is so often the case, it will be only the rich who will be OK. The likes of the ordinary family, or pensioner, will be badly affected sooner or later. It will be a worry for so many.
Take a look at this:
Martin Lewis: Is it time to fix my energy bill or should I stick on the price cap?
Updated 22 June 2022
The gas and electricity market is in crisis. Many are paying double what they were a year ago, and another huge hike is expected in October. So understandably the big question I’m being asked is: ‘Should I stick on the price cap, or lock into a fixed energy tariff?’. So let me try and answer, including a list of the top fixes to consider…
The UK energy market is broken. The theory is we’re meant to gain from competition, but there hasn’t been any – instead we have effectively regulatory-enforced high prices.
Yet as I write this (on Tuesday 21 June), many should be taking action, not because there are great deals out there, but because the latest analysis is the future looks even WORSE, with the price cap likely to rise even more than we previously thought. This means some costly fixes look like they may now be winners. Let me talk you through it.
Important: The info below doesn’t really apply to those on prepay meters or in Northern Ireland, I’m afraid.
### 1. The new prediction is the energy price cap will rise by 51% in October (to £2,980/year on typical use)
The energy price cap limits what firms can charge in England, Scotland and Wales for their default standard variable tariffs. It currently changes every six months, though that’ll soon be every three. The vast majority of homes, over 70%, are now on it – pretty much everyone who isn’t on a fix.
You’re on it if you’ve never switched tariff, if your cheap fix ended and you did nothing, or if your firm went bust last year and you were moved elsewhere (and haven’t switched again).
The price cap is misnamed though. There’s no maximum amount you’ll pay. What’s actually capped are electricity and gas standing charges and unit rates (the link shows the current ones). Here’s the latest intelligence on how it’ll move. I warn you – it’s grim reading.
Energy price cap changes
| Price cap dates | Change in dual-fuel direct-debit cap (1) |
|---|---|
| 1 October 2021 - 31 March 2022 | UP 12%. Meaning someone on typical use paid £1,277/year. |
| 1 April - 30 September 2022 | |
| Current cap | UP 54%. £1,971/year on typical use. |
| 1 October - 31 December 2022 | |
| Strong prediction | UP 42% based on what regulator Ofgem said in May. £2,800/yr on typical use. |
UP 51% according to the latest prediction from analysts at Cornwall Insight. £2,980/year on typical use.|
|1 January 2023 - 31 March 2023
Prediction|UP 1% based on Cornwall Insight predictions. £3,000/year on typical use.|
|1 April 2023 - 30 June 2023
Weak prediction|DOWN 8% based on Cornwall Insight predictions. £2,760/year on typical use.|
||
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Like us all I am very concerned I just feel our standard of living is going to drop and hate the thought of going cold . My stairs go up from my lounge onto a very high landing so heat goes up and Lounge feels colder so I’ve just put up 4 long velours in white to block the stairs off and I am hoping the room and down stairs keeps warmer thus keeping my heating bill down.
I do like home made soup so think that will be made more often . I’m OK for clothes and shoes so they can see me out.
The thought of those water and heating bills is scarey though
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Thanks for this update @Mups
I’ve been following Martin Lewis’s advice re Energy Tariff for the last few years and it worked well until my last fixed tariff expired end of March.
I followed his advice and didn’t fix a new tariff then, as fixed tariffs had become more expensive than relying on the price cap.
Now it seems he is saying it may be worth fixing again before the price cap increases towards the end of the year?
I’ll have to have a look at my options when I get back to UK next month.
One option my chap and I have been thinking about is to leave our gas boilers on the lowest “frost-free” setting and use what we would have each spent on Winter heating and electricity bills to rent a place in a warmer climate for the Winter - We may spend about the same between us - plus we’d avoid all the cold weather!
My Sister and three friends have already decided to do this - she reckons what she will save on energy bills for the Winter months will pay for her flight to the Caribbean, where the 4 of them will spend Jan, Feb & March in a rented house, which they are hiring at “mates rates” from a friend of a friend.
That’s an interesting idea, Boot.
I guess the only way you’ll find out if it’s cheaper is to try it this winter.
I don’t know which is worse - being warned in advance and worrying for months, or happily enjoy the summer and it come like a bolt out the blue in the autumn! 