logo
Respite for Brits as energy price cap drops 7% from TODAY with the typical duel fuel bill dipping £129 to £1,720

Respite for Brits as energy price cap drops 7% from TODAY with the typical duel fuel bill dipping £129 to £1,720

Daily Mail​5 hours ago

Struggling Brits are being boosted today as the energy price cap falls by 7 per cent.
The typical household bill for those who have still not signed up to a fixed tariff will drop by £129 to £1,720 per year.
That is £660 - or 28 per cent - lower than at the height of the energy crisis at the start of 2023, when the government implemented the energy price guarantee.
However, the level is still £152 higher than the same period last year.
Ofgem 's cap sets the limit on how much firms can charge customers per unit of energy. It is reviewed every three months.
But it does not constrain total bills because the costs for households still depends on the amount they consume.
While around 35 per cent of domestic customers are now signed up to a fixed deal that they have actively sought out – and which is not governed by the price cap – approximately 22million households in England, Wales, and Scotland are still on the energy price cap.
Those households were being urged to read their meter by the end of the month to avoid being charged the higher pre-July 1 rate on estimated bills.
Ofgem has also reminded households that they do not have to pay the price cap, saying 'there are better deals out there'.
The fall in energy costs will come as a relief for households, who suffered through an 'awful April' of bill rises, including Ofgem's last 6.4% price cap increase.
Under-pressure households have also been hit with the biggest increase to water bills since at least February 1988, alongside steep rises across bills for council tax, mobile and broadband tariffs, as well as road tax.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Welfare bill vote: Keir Starmer braced for revolt despite concessions
Welfare bill vote: Keir Starmer braced for revolt despite concessions

Times

time32 minutes ago

  • Times

Welfare bill vote: Keir Starmer braced for revolt despite concessions

Peter Kyle, the science and technology secretary, has admitted the government should have reached an agreement earlier with MPs threatening to rebel against the welfare bill. Kyle told Times Radio: 'As Keir Starmer, the prime minister said, there have been lessons learned. There have been lessons learned from our 11 months and I think that people will see that having learned those lessons that we'll be putting [them] into action going forward. 'For those MPs across the Labour Party who have worked constructively with Liz Kendall, the DWP secretary, and the prime minister, to improve the bill, we are extremely grateful and they will see the rewards of the constructive relationship that has been built in recent days. 'Should we have got there earlier? I think the answer is probably yes. But we are there, where we need to be now and I think you'll see the benefits of that later on today and certainly into the future of this government.' Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, refused to reaffirm that she would not change her 'ironclad' fiscal rules when pressed to do so by Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor. Stride said that the U-turns on winter fuel and concessions on welfare have added to the 'unfunded Labour black hole' and asked her to 'reconfirm that commitment' to her fiscal rules, or admit that the government are 'heading for yet another U-turn'. Reeves responded: 'Well I would take it a bit more seriously if the party opposite were actually voting against the welfare reforms this evening, and if they hadn't committed to fully reversing the winter fuel changes which is going to cost a further £400 million that they can't explain. 'I'll give him this — he knows a thing or two about welfare spending. Because under his watch, the UK became the only country in the G7 with an employment rate below pre-pandemic levels.' • Backbenchers have warned the government's plans would lead to a 'three-tier' benefits system in which people with the same disabilities receive different payments. They have urged the government to reconsider the legislation• Official modelling suggested that more than 150,000 people could still be pushed into relative poverty by the welfare measures, despite the concessions to MPs, down from 250,000 in the original assessment• MPs were initially concerned that the changes would lead to a spike in child poverty, but in an impact assessment written after the U-turn officials said there would now be a 'negligible' rise• Rebels raised concerns that a review of the policy, led by the social security minister, Stephen Timms and 'co-produced' with disabled people, would not be implemented before the change in the eligibility criteria came into force The work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, made a statement to the House on Monday that outlined the concessions being put forward to the bill by the government. She admitted that 'making changes is never easy' but said she believes the government 'must make sure those who can work get the support they need'. After the statement Kendall faced a fierce set of questions from backbenchers, who were particularly concerned that the review into the welfare system is set to finish as the reforms come into practice. Debbie Abrahams, chair of the work and pensions committee, said that the government 'should not predetermine' the results of the Timms review. Connor Naismith, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said the lack of clarity meant he could not vote for the bill 'without reassurance'. The original bill tabled new eligibility requirements for PIP. New claimants would have to score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity, such as preparing food or washing, to qualify. The changes were met with widespread opposition amongst Labour MPs, who raised concerns this could see people who need support to wash or dress lose their benefits. 126 MPs signed a reasoned amendment tabled by Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury select committee, which called to reject the bill entirely. Last week the government made concessions that mean all current PIP claimants will not lose their eligibility. Hillier withdrew the amendment as a result, but some rebels are still concerned that the eligibility rules will create a two-tier system by only applying to future applicants. A new rebel amendment was signed by 39 MPs and published this morning. Although this is a significantly reduced number, one senior rebel warned a defeat for the government is 'in the balance again'. Personal Independence Payments, or PIPs, are the main benefit available to people with disabilities. The payments are intended to help people with everyday tasks and mobility. These benefits, which are worth between £1,500 and £9,600 a year, are paid irrespective of whether someone is in work because they are designed to foot the bill for the additional cost that comes with being disabled. More than 1,000 extra people are claiming them every day. The government says the system is 'broken' and is insistent that there is 'broad consensus' on the need for reform. MPs will head to the Commons this afternoon for the second reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. It will set out plans for a review of the welfare system, back-to-work payments, a freeze to the highest rate of incapacity benefits and most controversially changes to the eligibility for personal independence payments (PIP). The bill has been met with opposition across the House but most notably from within the Labour party itself, as Sir Keir Starmer faces the largest rebellion of his premiership over the reforms. Despite the government's concessions in the last few days, it's still looking to be a tricky day for Labour.

Starmer defends his record in power as biggest revolt of his premiership looms
Starmer defends his record in power as biggest revolt of his premiership looms

Western Telegraph

time33 minutes ago

  • Western Telegraph

Starmer defends his record in power as biggest revolt of his premiership looms

The Prime Minister insisted at a meeting of senior ministers that his team could look back with a 'real sense of pride and achievement' as the July 5 anniversary of his first year in office nears. The Government's work has focused on giving working people a 'chance to thrive, not just survive', a Downing Street spokesman said, as Labour backbenchers continue to threaten a rebellion over welfare reforms they insist will have a negative impact on disabled people. The welfare reform Bill will have its first airing in the Commons on Tuesday, and some Labour backbenchers continue to say they will vote to halt the legislation, after a much larger rebellion was quelled by ministers last week. Sir Keir opened the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning by telling senior ministers the welfare reforms are 'designed to help those who can work into employment and ensure dignity and security for those who can't work', a No 10 spokesman said. 'He then reflected on the last year in office, saying we could all rightly look back with a real sense of pride and achievement,' the spokesman added. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is urging MPs to back the reforms (Jordan Pettitt/PA) No 10 pointed to the three trade deals struck with India, the US, and the EU, the extra investment in the spending review, and a cut in NHS waiting lists among the Government's achievements one year on. The spokesman added: 'He said the Government's work is all designed and focused on improving the lives of working people and giving them the chance to thrive, not just survive, and the Government should be proud of those achievements as a team.' Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds had earlier urged Labour MPs to back the reforms package, and warned that retreating entirely from them would mean losing the chance to 'make any changes for the better whatsoever' and undermining 'public support'. 'I'd ask (colleagues) to support the Government on that basis, because clearly what we've got here is something which is better than the existing system,' Mr Reynolds told Sky News on Tuesday morning. Ministers hope a partial U-turn on the benefit cuts, which will protect existing claimants of personal independence payments (Pip) and the health element of universal credit, are enough to win over Labour rebels. Ahead of the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill's second reading in the Commons on Tuesday evening, 39 Labour backbenchers have signed an amendment aimed at halting its progress. Leading rebel Rachael Maskell has warned 'many more' have told her they still plan to vote against the Government's plans than those who have signed up. Asked whether MPs would lose the whip for voting against the Government, Mr Reynolds said he was 'not aware of anything like that' but 'those issues are for the chief whip'. To see off the threat of far greater rebellion, the Government last week softened the impact of its changes to protect some 370,000 existing Pip claimants who had been set to lose out following reassessment. MPs will vote on the Bill on Tuesday evening (PA) Some 126 Labour MPs had signed that previous 'reasoned amendment' proposed by Treasury Committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier, which would have stopped the legislation if approved. Ministers also committed to a review of the system, involving disabled people and led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms, and unfreezing the higher UC rate for those already claiming the health-related element. But critics have argued the concessions risk creating a 'three-tier' system of disparity between existing and new claimants, as well as any future changes that emerge as a result of the Timms review. Facing questions from broadcasters on Tuesday morning, Mr Reynolds insisted it was 'entirely normal' for existing entitlements to be 'grandfathered' during major changes to the welfare system.

New app launches TODAY to ping 88m Brits with urgent alerts, digital licenses, benefits and more
New app launches TODAY to ping 88m Brits with urgent alerts, digital licenses, benefits and more

Scottish Sun

time36 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

New app launches TODAY to ping 88m Brits with urgent alerts, digital licenses, benefits and more

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRAND new app which will ping 88 million Brits with urgent alerts and give access to digital driving licenses launches today. The app, developed by the Government, aims to make it easier for Brits to engage with public services. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The Government is launching a brand new app to make accessing public services easier Credit: Getty 3 Brits will able able to access their IDs via the government-run app Credit: @SciTechgovuk / X 3 The app will be available to all Brits Credit: Alamy The App will launch in a basic stage initially, as Labour roll-out the beta version today. Initial roll-out takes place today This incarnation of the app will allow users to prioritise topics on their home page, depending on which government services are most useful to them. These areas include benefits, care, travel and business amongst others. Having these services on the home page will make it easier for 88 million Brits to engage with the government. Users will also be able to log-in using facial ID, removing the need for separate passwords for different services. The upgraded version of the app is set to roll out later this year and will feature an AI chat bot - named Chat. It will help to answer specific questions using information from the 700,000 page website. A wallet will become available on the app too, which will contain a digital driving license and other hard-copies of important documents. No more paper forms Ahead of the launch, Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, said: 'Our new App shows for the first time how this government is overhauling taxpayer-funded services as we deliver on our Plan for Change. 'By putting public services in your pocket, we will do away with clunky paper forms and hours spent on hold, so you can immediately get the information you need and continue on with the rest of your day. Starmer Rallies Lionesses: PM Visits England Women's Team at St George's Park Ahead of Euros 'This release of the App is just the start. 'Soon, you will be able to use it to ask Chat any question you like about government services, and get a reliable answer immediately. Personal notifications straight to your phone 'You will then get personal notifications, reminding you when your MOT is due or whether you need to register to vote, and then you will be able to closely track your childcare credits just as you do your bank account.' The app is a key part of Labour's Plan For Change - which aims to slash red tape slowing down British growth. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has already axed NHS England in a bid to make the National Health Service more interconnected and efficient. Another part of the plan includes a £39 billion scheme which will support the construction of affordable housing across the country.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store