What next for gas and electricity bills and can I fix?

BBCGas and electrical energy payments will fall on 1 July, when the brand new power value cap takes impact.The drop will greater than reverse the rise which hundreds of thousands of households confronted on 1 April when the present cap started.The power value cap units the utmost quantity clients will be charged for every unit of power, however precise payments depend upon how a lot gasoline and electrical energy you employ.What’s the power value cap and the way is it altering?The power value cap covers round 21 million households in England, Wales and Scotland and is about each three months by Ofgem.It fixes the utmost value that may be charged for every unit of power on a typical – or default – variable tariff for a typical dual-fuel family which pays by direct debit.Between 1 April and 30 June 2025, gasoline costs are capped at 6.99p per kilowatt hour (kWh), and electrical energy at 27.03p per kWh.This implies the annual invoice for a dual-fuel direct debit family utilizing a typical quantity of power is £1,849 per 12 months, a rise of £111 from the earlier cap. Nevertheless, from 1 July, this annual invoice falls £129 to £1,720.Between 1 July and 30 September 2025, gasoline costs shall be capped at 6.33p per kilowatt hour (kWh) and electrical energy at 25.73p per kWh.Those that pay their payments each three months by money or cheque pay extra, however these on prepayment meters pay rather less.The cap doesn’t apply in Northern Eire, which has its personal power market.What’s a typical family?Your power invoice will depend on the general quantity of gasoline and electrical energy you employ, and the way you pay for it.The kind of property you reside in, how power environment friendly it’s, how many individuals reside there and the climate all make a distinction.The Ofgem cap is predicated on a “typical family” utilizing 11,500 kWh of gasoline and a couple of,700 kWh of electrical energy a 12 months with a single invoice for gasoline and electrical energy, settled by direct debit.The overwhelming majority of individuals pay their invoice this manner to assist unfold funds throughout the 12 months. Those that pay each three months by money or cheque are charged extra.Ought to I take a meter studying when the power cap modifications?Submitting a meter studying when the cap modifications means you’ll not be charged for estimated utilization on the flawed charge.That is particularly essential when costs go up.Prospects with working good meters don’t have to submit a studying as their invoice is calculated mechanically.What is occurring to prepayment clients?About 4 million households had prepayment meters in January 2025, in response to Ofgem.Between April and June, households on prepayment meters paid barely lower than these on direct debit, with a typical invoice of £1,803, an increase of £113 from the earlier quarter.From 1 July, households on pre-payment meters will nonetheless pay barely lower than these on direct debit, with a typical annual invoice of £1,672.Getty ImagesMany pre-payment meters have been in place for years, however some have been put in extra lately after clients struggled to pay increased payments.Guidelines launched in November 2023 imply suppliers should give clients extra alternative to clear their money owed earlier than switching them to a meter. They can’t be put in in any respect in sure households.Households who pay their payments by money or cheque pays greater than pre-payment or direct debit clients, with a typical annual invoice of £1,855Can I repair my power costs?Fastened-price offers are usually not affected by the power value cap, which modifications each three months and may rise and fall. They provide certainty for a set interval – usually a 12 months, or longer – but when power costs drop if you end up on the deal, you would be caught at the next value. You might also must pay a penalty to go away a hard and fast deal early.Ofgem, the power regulator, says clients who need the safety of understanding what their invoice shall be ought to think about transferring to a hard and fast deal. Nevertheless, it says they need to be certain they perceive all the prices.Martin Lewis, founding father of Cash Saving Professional, recommends checking whole-of-market power value comparability websites to assist discover the very best deal.What are standing prices and the way are they altering?Standing prices are a hard and fast every day charge to cowl the prices of connecting to gasoline and electrical energy provides. They fluctuate barely by area.On 1 April, the common electrical energy standing cost fell from 60.97p to 53.8p however the common gasoline standing cost elevated from 31.65p to 32.67pSome clients in London and the North Wales and Mersey area noticed bigger will increase.From 1 July, standing prices will usually fall to 51.37p a day for electrical energy and 29.82p a day for gasoline. Campaigners argue standing prices are unfair as a result of they make up a much bigger proportion of the invoice of low power customers.In response, Ofgem has stated that power corporations should present a selection of price-capped tariffs from winter 2025.One would have a standing cost and unit charge – as is the case now – and one other no standing cost however the next unit charge. Nevertheless, the proposals have been criticised as being too sophisticated.What assist can I get with power payments?The Family Assist Fund, which was launched in September 2021 to assist susceptible clients, has been prolonged till March 2026.The Heat Dwelling Low cost scheme is being overhauled. From winter 2025, anybody on means-tested advantages will mechanically see £150 taken off their payments, it doesn’t matter what dimension of property they reside in.The federal government’s Gas Direct Scheme will help individuals to repay an power debt immediately from their profit funds.As well as, suppliers should provide clients reasonably priced fee plans or compensation holidays if they’re battling payments.Most suppliers additionally provide hardship grants.