Latest news with #SimonFrancis
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Electricity meter warning as fears 300,000 will stop working after tech axe
Fears are growing that around 300,000 households will be cut off from their electricity - or face sky-high bills due to their hot water and heating being stuck on constantly Hundreds of thousands of Brits risk being "cut off" from electricity ahead of a looming tech shakeup. The urgent warning comes as a phased shutdown of Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which was first introduced in the 1980s, will commence on June, 30 this year. RTS meters use radio signals to switch between different types of electricity rates or turn certain appliances on/off at specific times of the day - and are still being used in almost 400,000 households. As previously reported, RTS was originally supposed to be switched off last year, but this was scrapped to allow energy suppliers more time to replace the out-of-date system. However, energy firms have admitted it will be 'very, very difficult' to meet the new deadline despite the extension. Now, campaigners fear 300,000 homes are at risk of their hot water and heating remaining continually on - or being cut off from electricity altogether. Energy UK says more than 1,000 RTS meters are being replaced each day - but based on end-of-March figures, firms would need to remove 5,000 meters daily to remove every single one. Simon Francis of End Fuel Poverty Coalition warns Brits with RTS meters could end up receiving sky-high bills if their energy is stuck on constantly. "We need to ensure contingency measures are in place for those who do not make the deadline and require energy suppliers to ensure fair metering and billing practices," he told the Guardian. RTS meters were mainly installed for Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariffs for cheaper night-time electricity, as well as RTS-only tariffs like Comfort Plus and Total Heat Total Control, and controlling storage heaters or water heaters. According to experts over at Energy Savings Trust, you might have an RTS meter if you: Use electric heating to heat your home. Have a tariff where the price of electricity changes at different times of day. Have a separate box near your electricity meter with the words 'radio teleswitch' or 'radio telemeter'. You have two codes on your electricity bill that start with the letter S. These are 'supply numbers' or 'S numbers'. Live in a house with no gas connection (more common for those living in rural regions). Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money WHATSAPP GROUP: Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Brits with RTS meters are being urged to get in contact with their energy supplier as soon as possible to get it replaced. Your supplier has a responsibility to replace your meter and make sure that there is 'no disruption' to your electricity supply. "Your supplier should upgrade you to a smart meter for free," Energy Savings Trust said. "If you can't have a smart meter, it still has to replace your RTS meter with a suitable alternative." If your supplier says it can't replace your meter before June 30, you have a right to make a complaint. You can view Citizens Advice's example letter here.
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Ofgem Energy Price Cap: Energy bills to fall in July 2025
The decrease means that a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales will now pay £1,720 on average for energy, down from £1,849under the current price cap. Energy regulator Ofgem changes the price cap for households every three months, largely based on the cost of energy on wholesale markets. It's worth noting that the cap does not set the maximum a household will pay for their energy but limits the amount providers can charge them per unit of gas or electricity, so those who use more energy will always pay more. While a saving is welcome news, average energy bills continue to be 10% higher (almost £150) than this time last year, and 65% (almost £700) above winter 2020/21 levels and a third higher (around £450) than pre-Ukraine invasion. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, says: 'The Government's u-turn on the Winter Fuel Payment is a clear sign it knows people are struggling with energy bills – but sticking-plaster solutions won't keep people warm next winter or the one after that. 'While bills may fall slightly in July, they're still significantly higher than before the energy crisis and remain tied to the unpredictable cost of fossil fuels. Without urgent reform and real investment, millions will continue to face unaffordable bills and cold homes. 'The Warm Homes Plan offers a long-term fix: lower bills, warmer homes, and greater energy security. But this essential plan is now under threat. If Ministers walk away from it, they are effectively condemning households to years more of hardship. 'Short-term relief must not be used as an excuse for long-term neglect. The Government must fully fund the Warm Homes Plan and deliver the reforms needed to bring down bills for good.' Before the announcement, consultancy BFY Group predicted that the cap would fall by approximately £1,715 – a £134 decrease from the current April cap. Matt Turner-Tait, Senior Manager at BFY Group, says: 'This shows a decrease of about £134 from the current level of £1,849, set in April. "This reflects recent declines in wholesale gas and electricity prices and will provide some short-term relief for households on standard variable tariffs. While energy prices typically dip in summer due to reduced demand, market signals indicate that prices could stay at current levels through the winter as well, challenging expectations of the usual seasonal rebound. "Adjustments to the amount suppliers are allowed to recover for operating costs could reduce bills by up to £15 per year, but these savings could be offset by the rising bad debt among suppliers and other pressures, such as volatile wholesale markets, the rising costs of decarbonisation, inflation-driven operational expenses and regulatory compliance. More energy customers have been switching to fixed tariffs, which are always cheaper than the Price Cap, and are currently significantly so - by around £250 to £300 for a typical customer. Matt says: "While the gap between fixed deals and the capped rate may narrow as the Price Cap falls, fixed tariffs are still expected to offer savings in the near term."
North Wales Chronicle
23-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Ofgem Energy Price Cap: Energy bills to fall in July 2025
The decrease means that a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales will now pay £1,720 on average for energy, down from £1,849under the current price cap. Energy regulator Ofgem changes the price cap for households every three months, largely based on the cost of energy on wholesale markets. It's worth noting that the cap does not set the maximum a household will pay for their energy but limits the amount providers can charge them per unit of gas or electricity, so those who use more energy will always pay more. While a saving is welcome news, average energy bills continue to be 10% higher (almost £150) than this time last year, and 65% (almost £700) above winter 2020/21 levels and a third higher (around £450) than pre-Ukraine invasion. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, says: 'The Government's u-turn on the Winter Fuel Payment is a clear sign it knows people are struggling with energy bills – but sticking-plaster solutions won't keep people warm next winter or the one after that. 'While bills may fall slightly in July, they're still significantly higher than before the energy crisis and remain tied to the unpredictable cost of fossil fuels. Without urgent reform and real investment, millions will continue to face unaffordable bills and cold homes. 'The Warm Homes Plan offers a long-term fix: lower bills, warmer homes, and greater energy security. But this essential plan is now under threat. If Ministers walk away from it, they are effectively condemning households to years more of hardship. 'Short-term relief must not be used as an excuse for long-term neglect. The Government must fully fund the Warm Homes Plan and deliver the reforms needed to bring down bills for good.' Before the announcement, consultancy BFY Group predicted that the cap would fall by approximately £1,715 – a £134 decrease from the current April cap. Matt Turner-Tait, Senior Manager at BFY Group, says: 'This shows a decrease of about £134 from the current level of £1,849, set in April. "This reflects recent declines in wholesale gas and electricity prices and will provide some short-term relief for households on standard variable tariffs. While energy prices typically dip in summer due to reduced demand, market signals indicate that prices could stay at current levels through the winter as well, challenging expectations of the usual seasonal rebound. "Adjustments to the amount suppliers are allowed to recover for operating costs could reduce bills by up to £15 per year, but these savings could be offset by the rising bad debt among suppliers and other pressures, such as volatile wholesale markets, the rising costs of decarbonisation, inflation-driven operational expenses and regulatory compliance. More energy customers have been switching to fixed tariffs, which are always cheaper than the Price Cap, and are currently significantly so - by around £250 to £300 for a typical customer. Matt says: "While the gap between fixed deals and the capped rate may narrow as the Price Cap falls, fixed tariffs are still expected to offer savings in the near term."
Glasgow Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Ofgem Energy Price Cap: Energy bills to fall in July 2025
The decrease means that a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales will now pay £1,720 on average for energy, down from £1,849under the current price cap. Energy regulator Ofgem changes the price cap for households every three months, largely based on the cost of energy on wholesale markets. It's worth noting that the cap does not set the maximum a household will pay for their energy but limits the amount providers can charge them per unit of gas or electricity, so those who use more energy will always pay more. While a saving is welcome news, average energy bills continue to be 10% higher (almost £150) than this time last year, and 65% (almost £700) above winter 2020/21 levels and a third higher (around £450) than pre-Ukraine invasion. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, says: 'The Government's u-turn on the Winter Fuel Payment is a clear sign it knows people are struggling with energy bills – but sticking-plaster solutions won't keep people warm next winter or the one after that. 'While bills may fall slightly in July, they're still significantly higher than before the energy crisis and remain tied to the unpredictable cost of fossil fuels. Without urgent reform and real investment, millions will continue to face unaffordable bills and cold homes. 'The Warm Homes Plan offers a long-term fix: lower bills, warmer homes, and greater energy security. But this essential plan is now under threat. If Ministers walk away from it, they are effectively condemning households to years more of hardship. 'Short-term relief must not be used as an excuse for long-term neglect. The Government must fully fund the Warm Homes Plan and deliver the reforms needed to bring down bills for good.' Before the announcement, consultancy BFY Group predicted that the cap would fall by approximately £1,715 – a £134 decrease from the current April cap. Matt Turner-Tait, Senior Manager at BFY Group, says: 'This shows a decrease of about £134 from the current level of £1,849, set in April. "This reflects recent declines in wholesale gas and electricity prices and will provide some short-term relief for households on standard variable tariffs. While energy prices typically dip in summer due to reduced demand, market signals indicate that prices could stay at current levels through the winter as well, challenging expectations of the usual seasonal rebound. "Adjustments to the amount suppliers are allowed to recover for operating costs could reduce bills by up to £15 per year, but these savings could be offset by the rising bad debt among suppliers and other pressures, such as volatile wholesale markets, the rising costs of decarbonisation, inflation-driven operational expenses and regulatory compliance. More energy customers have been switching to fixed tariffs, which are always cheaper than the Price Cap, and are currently significantly so - by around £250 to £300 for a typical customer. Matt says: "While the gap between fixed deals and the capped rate may narrow as the Price Cap falls, fixed tariffs are still expected to offer savings in the near term."
Rhyl Journal
23-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Ofgem Energy Price Cap: Energy bills to fall in July 2025
The decrease means that a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales will now pay £1,720 on average for energy, down from £1,849under the current price cap. Energy regulator Ofgem changes the price cap for households every three months, largely based on the cost of energy on wholesale markets. It's worth noting that the cap does not set the maximum a household will pay for their energy but limits the amount providers can charge them per unit of gas or electricity, so those who use more energy will always pay more. While a saving is welcome news, average energy bills continue to be 10% higher (almost £150) than this time last year, and 65% (almost £700) above winter 2020/21 levels and a third higher (around £450) than pre-Ukraine invasion. Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, says: 'The Government's u-turn on the Winter Fuel Payment is a clear sign it knows people are struggling with energy bills – but sticking-plaster solutions won't keep people warm next winter or the one after that. 'While bills may fall slightly in July, they're still significantly higher than before the energy crisis and remain tied to the unpredictable cost of fossil fuels. Without urgent reform and real investment, millions will continue to face unaffordable bills and cold homes. 'The Warm Homes Plan offers a long-term fix: lower bills, warmer homes, and greater energy security. But this essential plan is now under threat. If Ministers walk away from it, they are effectively condemning households to years more of hardship. 'Short-term relief must not be used as an excuse for long-term neglect. The Government must fully fund the Warm Homes Plan and deliver the reforms needed to bring down bills for good.' Before the announcement, consultancy BFY Group predicted that the cap would fall by approximately £1,715 – a £134 decrease from the current April cap. Matt Turner-Tait, Senior Manager at BFY Group, says: 'This shows a decrease of about £134 from the current level of £1,849, set in April. "This reflects recent declines in wholesale gas and electricity prices and will provide some short-term relief for households on standard variable tariffs. While energy prices typically dip in summer due to reduced demand, market signals indicate that prices could stay at current levels through the winter as well, challenging expectations of the usual seasonal rebound. "Adjustments to the amount suppliers are allowed to recover for operating costs could reduce bills by up to £15 per year, but these savings could be offset by the rising bad debt among suppliers and other pressures, such as volatile wholesale markets, the rising costs of decarbonisation, inflation-driven operational expenses and regulatory compliance. More energy customers have been switching to fixed tariffs, which are always cheaper than the Price Cap, and are currently significantly so - by around £250 to £300 for a typical customer. Matt says: "While the gap between fixed deals and the capped rate may narrow as the Price Cap falls, fixed tariffs are still expected to offer savings in the near term."
