Latest news with #energybills
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Families on Universal Credit can apply for free £300 vouchers this month – check if you're eligible
THOUSANDS of households can apply for free vouchers from their local council this month. This is through the Government's Household Support Fund, which has given £742million to councils across the country to help struggling residents. 1 Local authorities can choose how they use the funds to help people in their area, and the latest to reveal its plans is City of Doncaster Council. It says it will be providing one-off payments worth up to £300 to residents on certain benefits. You'll be eligible if you receive: Housing benefit Local Council Tax Reduction Universal Credit which includes the housing element Means-tested free school meals. Families can get £100 vouchers towards the cost of food if they have one dependent child. Households with two dependent children will get £200, while families with three or more will get £300. City of Doncaster Council says it classes children as dependent if you receive Child Benefit for them. Other eligible households - including those without children - can get £100 towards the cost of energy bills. The council is also putting £150,000 into supporting local food banks and its hygiene bank. Hundreds of thousands have been set aside to support community hubs helping vulnerable households and people in crisis. 6 Easy Water-Saving Gadgets That Can Save You £100s How can you get the payment? If you've already received help from the Household Support Fund before and you still meet the criteria, you won't need to apply. Instead the payment should land in your bank account automatically. You will need to contact the council if your bank details have changed, though. If you were paid by cheque previously, you'll receive the payment by cheque again unless you contact the council and provide it with your bank details. You can contact the council to change your details by emailing householdsupportfund@ You'll need to provide your name, National Insurance Number, full address, bank sort code, account number and the name of the account holder. If the council can't verify that you're still eligible for the payment but you think you are, you will need to reapply. Households that haven't received a payment previously will need to submit an application. You can do that using the link here. Make sure you apply before the applications close in July. When will the payment be sent? Households with children will get their food vouchers on or around July 15. Those who are receiving help with their energy bills will get their vouchers much later. These will come through on or around December 15. Can you get help if you live outside Doncaster? Most likely, yes. Councils across the country have been given money through the Household Support Fund scheme. They can choose to distribute the money how they want so you should check what your local council is doing. However the aim is to help households cover essentials such as energy or water bills and food costs. Some councils have not yet revealed how they are planning to spend the money, but others have shared details on their websites. For example, households in Redcar & Cleveland can get support worth up to £230. Those in Leeds can get payments of up to £150. Councils have until March 31, 2026 to allocate their share of the fund to residents. If you're struggling with bills or on benefits, it's likely you'll be able to get support. You should contact your local council or check its website to see what it's offering and whether you might be eligible. You can find what council area you fall under by using the government's council locator tool - Some offer supermarket vouchers while others are sending direct cash payments. It's worth noting that any help you receive via the Household Support Fund won't affect your benefit payments.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
BGE to shift supply costs to lower-usage months, reducing peak season bills
The Maryland Public Service Commission issued an order seeking to alleviate high energy bills for customers. The order requires BGE to shift recovery of some supply costs to lower-usage months over a six-month period. It means customers will pay less supply costs during the winter and summer, a time when bills are typically higher. However, they'll see an increase in the fall and spring when bills are lower. The commission said the order will benefit customers by "flattening costs and help[ing] mitigate excessively high electricity bills during peak months." The commission originally considered this idea during an April meeting, after which the Commission requested and received proposals to spread costs over four-, six-, and twenty-four-month intervals. Commission Chair Frederick Hoover said in a statement, "The Commission took these actions to mitigate the impacts felt by customers as a result of higher-than-expected energy costs, coupled with potential high usage in the coming months." In response, BGE wrote in a statement: "The Commission has decided to shift the recovery of some supply costs caused by last summer's PJM Capacity Auction results to lower-usage months over a six-month period. We will continue working with the Commission and parties to mitigate the impact of higher energy costs for our customers. In accordance with the PSC's order, adjusted residential electric supply rates will go into effect for usage starting June 1." The commission adds that they support the Maryland Office of People's Counsel and several other PJM state consumer advocates in a complaint against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The complaint challenges high wholesale capacity prices, arguing that PJM's most recent capacity auction will impose unjust and unreasonable charges on ratepayers. Electricity prices increase on June 1 BGE said the increase in electricity prices is the result of an unexpected spike in capacity auction prices and the Talen Energy reliability-must-run (RMR) fee. A capacity market auction is a competitive bidding process where power companies promise to make their electricity generation available in the future. "Generally, Maryland has an acute imbalance between electricity supply and demand from customers," said BGE Spokesperson Nick Alexopulos. He said customers are paying to keep some power plants, set to retire, online. "Customers have to pay the owner of those power plants, Talen Energy, a certain fee called the reliability-must-run," Alexopulos said. "They're going to have to pay that every month until the power plants retire." What is the Talen Energy RMR fee? The Talen Energy RMR fee refers to the fixed payments made to Talen Energy for continuing to operate its Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner power plants in Maryland, beyond their planned retirement dates. PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator, pays a fee of $312 per megawatt per day for the Brandon Shores plant, amounting to approximately $145 million annually, along with a $5 million performance incentive. For the H.A. Wagner plant, PJM pays a fee of $137 per megawatt per day, which totals about $35 million per year, plus a $2.5 million performance incentive. The details are outlined in a settlement agreement reached in January 2025.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Millionaires should not get subsidy for energy bills, says Treasury minister
'Millionaires' should not get 'subsidy for their energy bills from the Government', a Treasury minister has suggested. Darren Jones has said that winter fuel payments will 'still be targeted to those that need it the most'. Sir Keir said at Prime Minister's questions last week that he wants to restore the payments to more pensioners, following pressure from campaigners, signalling a partial U-turn on one of Labour's first announcements in Government. He claimed that the UK's improving economic prospects could allow for the move at the next fiscal event. The partial U-turn came as ministers are continuing to face calls to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Speaking to Sky News on Thursday evening, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Mr Jones was asked about Reform UK's commitments on both the winter fuel and benefit cap policies. 'All of those things cost money,' Mr Jones said. 'It's right that we set out the detail and how we're going to pay for those in a proper and orderly way.' He added: 'We're sticking to the principle that millionaires shouldn't be getting subsidy for their energy bills from the government, so winter fuel payments will still be targeted to those that need it the most.' Mr Jones also touched on the Government's approach to child poverty, telling the same programme that 'we're a Labour government we want child poverty to be falling in this country, not rising'. 'Of course, we want to help families lift themselves out of poverty.' Last summer, Rachel Reeves announced that the previously universal winter fuel payment would be means-tested. The policy was blamed for the party's collapse in support since last year's general election, and campaigners were challenged about it on the doorsteps during May's local elections. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage confirmed earlier this week that his party would support scrapping the two-child benefit cap and also reverse the winter fuel payment cuts. Sir Keir said he is looking at 'all options' to drive down child poverty when asked if he would like to get rid of the two-child benefit cap on Thursday. Speaking on a visit to the North West, the Prime Minister said: 'There isn't a single bullet, but I'm absolutely determined that we will drive this down, and that's why we'll look at all options, always, of driving down child poverty.' Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the Labour and Reform leaders of asking people to fund 'unlimited child support for others' by scrapping the two-child cap. Writing in the Daily Mail, she said that the Conservatives are the 'only serious party of sound money'. 'Britain deserves party leaders who don't treat economics like a branch of showbiz, an announcement for a nice headline and forget about the deficit,' she said.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Big change to heat pump rules from TODAY – and it could benefit millions
A MAJOR change to heat pump rules has taken effect today - and it could help millions save money on their energy bills. Households no longer have to ensure the devices are installed one metre or more away from a neighbour's property. 1 The rule was brought in so less noise produced by heat pumps leaked into nearby areas. However, it has been scrapped by the government as ministers look to encourage more take up of the environmentally friendly gadgets. The change comes as part of the government's Warm Homes Plan which aims to save households hundreds of pounds on their energy bills. A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "The energy shocks of recent years have shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes and our Warm Homes Plan will make them cheaper and cleaner to run, rolling out upgrades from new insulation to solar and heat pumps. 'We are helping more people get a heat pump as they are three times more efficient than gas boilers, enabling families to save around £100 a year by using a smart tariff." Heat pumps work by taking heat from the air, ground or water and transferring it inside a property. They can also transfer cooler air in the summer. However, take up of the potentially money-saving devices has been lower than expected. The government has set a target of 600,000 being fitted each year by 2028. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills But The National Audit Office (NAO) reported last year the number of installations by December 2023 was less than half planned by ministers. What are the advantages of heat pumps? The main advantage to heat pumps is that they are typically more energy-efficient than old-style gas boilers. The Energy Saving Trust says someone with an air source heat pump in a three-bedroom semi-detached house could save £240 a year on their energy bills compared to an old gas boiler. The savings can be worth hundreds of pounds more if you're switching over from an old electric storage heater. Because heat pumps use renewable energy like air, water or ground heat, they are better for the environment too. They can also provide both heating and cooling around your home, making them more versatile than gas heating systems. What are the disadvantages of heat pumps? The major disadvantage to heat pumps is the expensive up front cost. The amount you pay depends on the type of model you have installed but air source types can cost between £6,500 and £11,500. Households can get grants worth £7,500 to help towards the cost of having a heat pump installed through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. This used to be £5,000 but was increased by the previous government, with a ban on gas boilers by 2035 also postponed. However, it means households do sometimes have to stump up thousands of pounds of their own cash to get one. Some heat pumps can be noisy as well, with air source models generally the noisiest of all three. Depending on which type you get, you might have to install it outside as well. What energy bill help is available? There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by. If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter. This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period. If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal. Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills. But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances. For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000. British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund. You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund. EDF, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too. Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR). The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill. Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling. Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Fuel bank chief's caution over energy price fall
The chief executive of a charity which supports people with their energy bills has welcomed the news that prices will fall from July - but said they were still very regulator Ofgem announced on Friday a typical gas and electricity bill would drop by 7%, its first fall in a yearBut Matt Cole from the Fuel Bank Foundation said people were still paying £500 more per year than before the cost of living crisis, so people "wouldn't feel any richer".Mr Cole, who lives in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, said the UK also still had the most expensive energy prices in Europe. Tim Jarvis, director general of markets at Ofgem, said the drop in energy bills reflected a fall in the international price of wholesale Cole said he suspected prices would go up again in the winter, as demand for fuel rises again across said he would like to see the energy price cap, which sets a maximum that suppliers can charge for each unit of energy, reviewed every six months, instead of the current three months, to give consumers more charity supports people struggling to pay their energy bills and he said they often said they were worried about future price rises. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
