September 2023

Octopus Energy has bought Shell Energy UK in a move which will see Shell's gas and electricity customers moved to Octopus. If you're with Shell, your account, including payment details, will be transferred automatically in the coming weeks and months – just look out for a welcome email from Octopus. Until then, there are no changes and you should keep paying your bills as normal.

More than eight million households on certain benefits and Tax Credits have now received the second third of their £900 cost of living payment. Here's all you need to know on whether you're eligible and what to do if you're missing your payment.

If you're an E.on Next customer, look out for a message from the firm offering you up to 50% off your bills this winter. The supplier has launched a new support scheme for some of its existing customers on low incomes or with medical needs.

You should open a fixed savings account NOW in case rates are cut, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has warned. His message comes as the Bank of England voted to maintain the current base rate at 5.25% following 14 consecutive rises.

An energy social tariff must be introduced urgently to prevent millions of households from falling into fuel poverty this winter. In a new open letter published today – and backed by MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) and its founder Martin Lewis – a coalition of 140 charities, consumer groups and MPs are calling on the Government to fulfil its repeated pledges to protect vulnerable energy customers.

EDF Energy will cut bills by £30 for some 260,000 of its customers who get the Government's Warm Home Discount this winter. But with a typical home paying £2,000 a year for energy, the one-off £30 discount is 'not a game-changer', says MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis.

Some water bills in England and Wales could rise by less than planned from April 2024, as 12 water companies have been hit with a collective £114 million penalty for missing targets on pollution, leaks and customer service.

If you're planning to order your Christmas food shop online from Ocado, get ready to bag your delivery slot as the first round of bookings will open this week.

Interest rates on fixed mortgage deals have been edging down over the past few weeks with some five and 10-year fixes now below 5%. Mortgage brokers have told MoneySavingExpert.com that further cuts are possible in the short term after the base rate was held at 5.25% this month, following 14 consecutive rises.

Many E.on Next customers could make an easy saving on their energy bills over the next year by switching to the firm's 'Pledge' tariff, according to MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who shared the tip in a new video briefing today (Thursday 21 September).