Households with energy suppliers including British Gas, EDF, OVO, Octopus, and EON are being urged to take photos of their meters before Wednesday, July 1, when the new Ofgem price cap takes effect. The advice comes from Martin Lewis, the BBC and ITV money-saving expert, who warns that submitting accurate readings now can prevent overpaying under the higher rates.
Martin Lewis: Backdate Readings and Snap Photos
Martin Lewis, 54, advised customers to act promptly: "When I first did this I suggested meter reading day and I crashed virtually every energy site. You can backdate, go and get a meter reading. For belt and braces, you can take a picture of the meter." He explained that most people pay by monthly direct debit, where average usage is smoothed out over the year to avoid winter cashflow issues. Taking a photo provides proof of the reading at the time of the price change.
Price Cap Rise Adds £221 to Annual Bills
Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, highlighted the impact: "The rise in the energy price cap in the UK from July is set to weigh on already fragile consumer confidence. Household energy prices will rise by 13% due to soaring wholesale costs, a highly unwelcome change, just as bills had been reducing." According to Ofgem, a typical household using average gas and electricity will pay £221 more per year, bringing the annual bill to £1,862. This increase is expected to strain household finances, reducing spending on dining out, holidays, and retail, raising concerns for businesses reliant on discretionary spending.
Government Response: Ed Miliband on Clean Power
Labour Party Energy Secretary Ed Miliband commented: "The rise in the price cap because of a war we did not choose is deeply unwelcome news for households across the country. We know people were under pressure before this crisis, and that's why easing that burden is our number one priority." He added that the government will monitor the situation ahead of winter and plan for contingencies. "In the immediate term it is essential to de-escalate this conflict to bring oil and gas prices down and as Britain faces the second fossil fuel crisis of this decade, we must learn the right lessons. The way to get bills down for good and avoid these price spikes is to go further and faster with this government's drive for clean homegrown power we control. We are upgrading as many homes as possible ahead of winter with the biggest investment in warm homes in British history."
