Energy Bills to Jump Again: What It Means for Your Wallet
From 1 April onward, households across England, Scotland, and Wales will see their annual energy costs climb by 6.4% – the third straight quarter of price hikes. The spike comes as wholesale prices bounce higher, pushing the variable tariff from £1,738 a year to £1,849.
Inside the Official Rationale
Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley points to the wild swings in global gas markets as the main culprit:
- “No price rise is ever welcome, and energy costs are a huge pain for many families.”
- “We’re chasing a cleaner, homegrown rollout because reliance on international gas makes prices volatile.”
- “Energy debts are at record highs – without help they’ll keep climbing, crushing households.”
- “We’re planning a ‘clean slate’ for those with unmanageable debt to give them a fresh start.”
Government’s Response
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband highlighted the national urgency:
- “Worrying news for many families. We must shield people from fossil‑fuel markets.”
- “Expanding the Warm Home Discount will protect millions from rising bills.”
- “The real fix lies in making Britain a clean‑energy powerhouse – self‑contained, Britain‑controlled power.”
Support for the Most Vulnerable
Chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty of Citizens Advice singled out households with children as facing the hardest brunt:
- “Over one in three families with kids struggle to pay bills; it jumps to more than 50% among low‑income households.”
- “We’ll need targeted support before the next winter – new funding can come from the billions of excess profits energy networks are currently earning.”
- “That money should go straight into debt relief and real‑time bill support.”
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