Households are still facing a monthly energy bill increase of £67 from April despite the extension of the UK Government’s £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) until July. 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 last week.
But, before everyone heaves a collective sigh of relief, it's important to be aware that households still face having to find an extra £67 a month to pay their energy bills from April 1 when the UK Government’s separate £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme comes to an end on March 31 - this has seen around 29 million households receive six monthly payments of £66 or £67 direct to their energy accounts since October 2022.
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. 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”.
