Gas + electricity bills’ cap promise to be dropped?

GOVERNMENT-led energy discounts, caps and grant schemes for gas and electricity customers are in the news – and have been since before the general election.

This week, promises to cap utility bills for 17m consumers could be dropped. In its place, the Government was today suggesting only ‘to offer extra protection for some people’ – with a lack of more useful, detailed information.

Currently 4m homes with prepayment meters – said to be the most vulnerable – enjoy a cap on their bills.

From media reporting, the Government is pressing energy regulatory body Ofgem (sometimes called the energy consumer watchdog) to use its powers to drive down the cost of bills.

But Ofgem says only that it is “committed to ensuring that vulnerable consumers in society are not left behind.”

Ofgem announced it will:

• Test its own online switching service
• Make it easier for customers to switch to cheaper tariffs via price comparison websites
• Post cheaper deals to people who are offline and/or more vulnerable
• Cap or ban warrant charges for installing pre-payment meters

Campaigning consumer body Which? is pressing for a better deal for electricity and gas users stating that millions of households are overpaying because the energy market lacks competition.

Aura Heating is a Which? Trusted Trader, currently able to offer ECO grants for oil-fired and LPG / Calor-type gas boilers. If eligibility for grants is an issue, consider one of our helpful finance deals.