New April energy bills as Martin Lewis predicts costs could hit £3.7k a year

Energy bills are increasing in the UK and they're about to rise even more by next April.

Martin Lewis says costs could hit £3,700 a year for the average UK home.

But the MoneySavingExpert founder claims it's both "good and bad news" for Brits.

READ MORE: Renters are unsure about what energy efficiency changes they can make under tenancy

Prices already rose to £2,500 a year from October 1 when the Government's Energy Price Guarantee came into power.

It still means homes are facing higher energy bills with the average household paying £529 a year extra from October.

The Conservatives pledged to freeze energy bills at £2,500 for average use for two years.

If prices do rise next April, experts predicted energy bills will be £3,700 on average.

Analysts at Cornwall Insight said this would be the likely energy price cap, meaning the average home paying for energy by direct debit on a variable tariff will pay around this figure per year.

In response, Martin said the prediction was "bad and good news".

He added: "It's early days but Cornwall Insight's latest prediction for the April price cap (which returns then unless the Government changes rules) is a 48% rise; taking a (meaningless but illustrative) typical bill to £3,700/yr from £2,500.

"Yet it's less than the 72% predicted before."

  • 'Hugh Hefner asked me on date when I was 21 – then invited seven other women'

If you're unable to pay your energy bill, there are many ways to receive support.

Firstly, you should contact your energy supplier and discuss the different ways you can pay for your bills.

You can negotiate a payment plan that can work for both them and you.

Even if you have debts with them, establishing a payment plan can be the best solution to pay them off without your supplier disconnecting you.

Your supplier will need to understand how much you can afford and the amount of energy you'll use in the future.

If you cannot pay off your debts either, then you might be able to do so through your benefits.

The Fuel Direct Scheme has been set up by the Government to take some money away from your benefits to directly pay off your energy bills.

To be eligible, you must be on one of the following benefits:

  • Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Influencer jokes she's 'too pretty to work' – but is slammed as 'lazy and entitled'

To apply, there are two options depending on what benefits you are receiving, whether it's Pension Credit or Universal Credit.

There is also the £400 energy bill discount to support households.

Households will start receiving £400 off their energy bills from October, with the discount made across six instalments.

This is applied automatically – £66 in October and November; £67 in December, January, February and March.

Want all the biggest Lifestyle news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Hot Topics newsletter

READ NEXT:

  • Shoppers praise £2.50 washing-up liquid which could shave £100s of energy bills
  • UK's 'craziest Christmas lights' to return for 2022 despite energy cost hike
  • Martin Lewis shares how energy bill could be wrong as he urges regular readings

Source: Read Full Article