Families believe household gas and electricity bills will rise by £487 from the start of October, despite experts predicting a rise of three times that amount, according to research commissioned by Uswitch. The bill for an average household will rise by around £1,600 to over £3,600, according to the latest forecasts. Only around one in 13 people (8%) thought bills would rise by more than £1,500 – which experts are predicting. More than a quarter of households said they did not know what was likely to happen with the price cap on their energy bills, the survey found. Meanwhile, 12% said they thought it would decrease this winter. Uswitch’s director of regulation, Richard Neudegg, said: “With the summer holidays in full swing, it’s no surprise that so many people haven’t been informed about the changes to the price cap.” He called on the government to act quickly to provide more support to households, adding that households “desperately need to know that adequate financial support will be provided”. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:46 Labour’s energy plan explained This October’s price cap will be announced by energy regulator Ofgem on 26 August. Current plans to ease the burden of the rise were announced in May, when the price cap was expected to reach around £2,800 in October. It is now believed to be £800 higher than it was in October and could reach as high as £5,000 in April. In May, the government announced £400 for each household, to be paid out in six installments. It also promised support of up to £1,200 for more vulnerable people.
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You can share your story, photos or video with us using our app, private messages or email. :: Your report on Sky News apps :: WhatsApp :: E-MAIL By sending us your video/photos/audio you agree that we may transmit, publish and edit the material. Read more: What is causing energy prices to rise? Nationwide offers 11,000 workers £1,200 bonus to help with bills Disabled man ‘doesn’t expect to be alive this spring’ as he faces soaring bills However, Mr Neudegg said the promised £66 a month over the winter would “barely touch the sides” of the projected increase. As fears grow over the rising cost of living, pressure is mounting on the two Tory leadership candidates, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, to come up with detailed proposals. Researchers at Opinium polled 2,000 adults across the UK online between 19 July and 22 July. They weighted the sample to be politically and nationally representative. People were asked: “Ofgem is due to review the energy price cap again in August, to be implemented in October. What do you think will happen to your Standard Variable Tariff price in October after the review?”.
