Households across the UK are being urged to take proactive steps to manage their energy bills ahead of a significant price cap increase on 1st April. Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, has outlined critical actions consumers should undertake immediately to minimise the impact of the upcoming rise.
A primary recommendation from Lewis is for all households to submit a meter reading to their energy supplier on or before Sunday, 31st March. This ensures that any energy consumed at the current, lower rates is accurately accounted for, preventing it from being charged at the new, higher rates that come into effect from April. For those with smart meters, Lewis advises checking if readings are being submitted automatically; if not, a manual submission is still prudent.
The energy price cap, set by the regulator Ofgem, is scheduled to increase by 5% for the average household from 1st April. This adjustment will see the typical annual energy bill rise from £1,928 to £1,690 for direct debit customers. While this represents a decrease from the peak of the energy crisis, it is still a substantial sum for many families grappling with the cost of living.
Lewis also reiterated his long-standing advice against locking into fixed-rate energy deals at present. He noted that the current market conditions mean that most fixed tariffs are considerably more expensive than the rates under the Ofgem price cap, making them an unviable option for the vast majority of consumers seeking to save money. Instead, he emphasised the importance of understanding personal energy usage and exploring ways to reduce consumption.
Beyond meter readings, Lewis encouraged individuals to check their eligibility for various government support schemes. Programmes such as the Warm Home Discount, which provides a one-off payment of £150 to eligible low-income households, can offer crucial relief. Other support, including Cold Weather Payments and the Winter Fuel Payment, may also be relevant depending on individual circumstances, though some of these are seasonal. Keeping abreast of these options and applying if eligible is a key part of managing energy costs.