Utilities

All the major energy suppliers have now confirmed massive price hikes to their standard variable tariffs from 1 October, after regulator Ofgem increased the maximum suppliers can charge under the energy price cap. We've rounded up the hikes from the major suppliers, including British Gas, E.on and EDF, and take you through how to beat 'em.

Around 1.7 million EDF Energy customers on standard tariffs will see gas and electricity bills jump by a typical £139/yr from October, after it announced it's raising prices by the maximum allowed under the new price cap. But most can beat the hikes and save £200+/yr by switching to a cheaper deal. 

Energy bills will rise by a typical £139/year for 11 million households in October, as regulator Ofgem revealed the new price cap level this morning – but most can beat the hikes by switching supplier. 

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. 

TalkTalk is hiking prices for certain customers on its Fibre 35 and Fibre 65 broadband plans this month – but you don't have to accept the increases. Depending on when you got TalkTalk's notification, you may be able to leave penalty-free or haggle a discount. Here's what you need to know.

Households with water meters should check their bills as many firms are upping direct debits due to higher use during lockdown. And with usage over the next year likely to drop for many as restrictions ease, you could end up paying a lot more than you need to unless you take action. Energy's slightly different, but it's still worth checking – more on that below.

Sky customers should check now if they are overpaying for their TV package, after the firm admitted it hasn’t been sending out end-of-contract notifications despite the regulator Ofcom insisting it should have been. 

Symbio Energy has been hit with a formal warning from review website Trustpilot, after MoneySavingExpert.com brought to its attention the way the supplier responds to negative reviews, which left some customers feeling threatened. 

BT is to launch a super-cheap fast fibre broadband plan for 4.6 million households claiming certain benefits at the end of June – but there's no need to wait as many can get similar prices now.

E.on has agreed to pay out more than £650,000 after it took 1.6 million customers' direct debits up to two weeks early in December, leaving many without cash in their accounts just before Christmas. If you were hit with extra charges as a result and haven't been compensated yet, get in touch with E.on now. Here's what you need to know.