Energy switching

Martin Lewis has warned that anyone coming off a cheap, fixed energy deal faces a huge bill shock, with the cheapest tariffs now costing 40% more than they did last year. In a new video, the MoneySavingExpert.com founder explains why energy prices are at an all-time high and what you can do about it.

The cheapest deals cost 40% more than a year ago, and are still rising. Fail to act and you'll face a huge bill SHOCK. This autumn's signature noise will be a deep thud... the sound of jaws hitting the floor, as people finally see the practical evidence of the energy bill catastrophe laid bare.

A review into green electricity tariffs is to be launched by the government following concerns energy suppliers could be exaggerating their environmental benefits.

About 180,000 Igloo Energy customers will see their gas and electricity bills rise by an average of 12% from August, after the firm announced it's hiking the price of its variable tariff. We've been warning for weeks that Igloo was likely to raise prices due to soaring wholesale costs though, so the move doesn't come as a surprise – and even after the rise Igloo will still be one of the cheaper players in the market. 

About 1.7 million Bulb customers will see gas and electricity bills rise by an average 6.5% from next month, making its standard credit tariff just 1% cheaper than the price cap – in other words, it'll be mightily expensive. But most can beat the hikes and save £200+/yr by switching to a cheaper deal. 

Autoswitching households to cheaper energy deals is to be tested under new Government plans to keep gas and electricity bills affordable, while Warm Home Discount payments will increase. 

Northern Ireland's largest energy supplier, Power NI, is to hike electricity prices by 6.1%, meaning the typical bill for those on its standard tariff will jump by £35/year.

The competition watchdog has called for the prepayment price cap to stay in place after 2020 due to the slow roll-out of smart meters – but customers could pay more under the cap when calculation methods change. 

Small energy firm Avro Energy has been banned from taking on new customers because it hasn't joined the national smart meter network.

Energy supplier Solarplicity has been banned from taking on new customers for three months or until it improves its customer service.