Households are unlikely to get extra support with energy bills from April
, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said.The government has been under pressure to offer additional help for people to cope with high gas and electricity costs.
There are various definitions of fuel poverty, but generally a household is considered to fall into that category if it spends 10% or more of its income on energy. This means the bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity is £2,500 a year. There is also a universal £400 discount, effectively bringing that typical annual bill down to £2,100.
Another likelihood by the summer is that falling wholesale prices - which are paid by suppliers - may lead to prices for consumers falling.Although bills are affected by all these variables, the government remains under pressure from campaigners and charities to help households whose bills are still likely to be double that of a year ago.Price changes are critical for anyone on prepayment meters because there is no opportunity to smooth out bills - homes pay for energy as they use it.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
No 'Major' New Help With Energy Bills, Says ChancellorJeremy Hunt said there was no extra 'headroom' to stop energy bills rising from April.
Read more »
Glasgow households issued energy voucher warning as thousands unclaimedAlmost one in five households in Scotland use prepayment meters for their gas or electricity with people across the country - including Glasgow - being urged to use their vouchers before the deadline.
Read more »
Jeremy Hunt’s four-pillar plan to boost productivity“I reject the case for ‘declinism’ about Britain’s prospects,” writes Jeremy_Hunt in a guest commentary. “I am most optimistic about our strength in the growth industries that will shape the 21st century,” the chancellor says
Read more »
Michael Liebreich wants existing low-carbon technologies to be scaled up much faster“Wind and solar are now the cheapest way of generating electricity almost everywhere,” writes the energy analyst in a guest essay. He argues that they should be deployed on a larger scale
Read more »
Martin Lewis left with head in hands as households miss out on £400 supportMartin Lewis was left with his head in his hands on the ITV Martin Lewis Money Show
Read more »
Major bin trial to begin within weeks for 3,500 householdsThe food waste trial is part of broader efforts to improve recycling rates across Nottingham.
Read more »