Energy bill

But warned the removal of the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme will leave millions struggling and urged the UK Government to look at finding a “long-term ...

Jamie said: “Timer controls are a cheap and easy way to save on energy costs. Jamie explained: “For those with an open plan kitchen and living space, believe it or not, your oven can provide a fantastic source of heat. As are short eco-washes, which normally take 15 mins per cycle, shortening the length of time your appliance is in use. Jamie explained: “Leaving items such as your television or home music system on standby, continues to incur energy costs. If you’re one for leaving your phone charger plugged in, with no phone connected, remember you can save money by simply pulling the plug.” It had been due to rise by £500 to £3,000 at the start of next month, however, the Treasury announced the postponement ahead of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget on Wednesday. Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said the “welcome step” of extending the existing EPG would protect millions of people from unaffordable energy billS. “Alternatively, you could invest in Wi-Fi connected plugs, which enable you to turn power in the home, on and off remotely, through use of a software application connected to your smartphone.” Jamie said: “You can save up to £34 per year on your energy bills by simply using your washing machine more efficiently. You could save up to £65 on your energy bills per year by investing in a standby saver or smart plug, which allows you to turn all your standby appliances, completely off, in one go.” But warned the removal of the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme will leave millions struggling and urged the UK Government to look at finding a “long-term solution to the problem”. As energy prices, household bills and the general cost of living continues to put pressure on household finances, one of the UK’s largest listed providers of private rental homes,

CARLISLE'S MP has welcomed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's announcement of an extension when it comes to energy support relief.

"It's also about getting people back into work. "The anticipation is that prices will drop below the threshold that they need to support which is good because, at the end of the day, the government can't support people forever in that way. [Carlisle](/sport/football/carlisle-united/) & Eden, Andy Auld, said however, "it's not all good news" for those at the lower end of the pay scale come the end of the Energy Bill Support Scheme.

The Energy Bill Support Scheme – which has seen all households receive six monthly payments of £66 or £67 direct to their energy accounts – comes to an end ...

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: “High energy bills are one of the biggest worries for families, which is why we're maintaining the Energy Price Guarantee at its ...

The government must urgently reconsider their approach and uprate housing benefit in line with the true cost of rents - otherwise we will see thousands more people forced out of their homes with nowhere to go.” Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said: “Yet again, the UK Government has missed a crucial opportunity to pull thousands of people back from the brink of homelessness by investing in housing benefit. “The effect of this practice is to cut them off – that means no heating; it means no lighting; it means the fridge goes off; your food goes off. The decision to leave rates frozen at 2020 levels means the affordability gap for private renters will continue to grow, resulting in increased evictions and homelessness. Responding to the announcement, Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) chief executive, Gavin Smart, said: “We’re pleased to see the government taking action to support people with high energy bills, by bringing charges for pre-payment meters in line with direct debit customers and extending the current Energy Price Guarantee at the current rate for a further three months. With energy bills set to fall from July onwards, this temporary change will bridge the gap and ease the pressure on families, while also helping to lower inflation too.”

Two charities which provide support and advice for financial hardship have welcomed the extension of the government's energy price guarantee.

[Christians Against Poverty, a charity working with over 800 affiliated churches to deliver debt help, and budgeting guidance](http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23372037.cost-living-demand-increases-colchester-foodbank/), has campaigned extensively for an overhaul of prepayment meters, “sharing what [they’re] seeing on the ground” with the government. [Paula Goddard, who is the charities debt centre manager in Colchester](https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23388666.budget-2023-jeremy-hunt-extends-free-childcare-offering/), said that she “welcomes the energy price guarantee extension and the abolishment of a poverty premium on prepayment meters” but added that “we still feel so much more needs to be done to ensure people on the lowest incomes have enough to cover their basic needs”. Paula also said: “We want the government to be much bolder in tackling poverty to ensure everyone has a liveable income.” The charity provides face-to-face advice to adults, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s on a range of issues. [Age Well East](http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23377196.free-warm-spaces-colchester/), said: “The costs are still high but the fact the cap hasn’t increased further is reassuring.” “Some people are only heating one or two rooms to reduce costs, when they might’ve heated their whole home in the past.”