Energy prices are rising

Ofgem, the energy industry regulator, has announced that from Wednesday 1 January 2025, the price cap on gas and electricity prices will rise by 1.2%. This means that the typical household that pays by direct debit will see their average annual bill rise to £1,738 a year for gas and electricity. This is up £21 from October, and £170 since July.

What is the energy price cap?

The energy price cap sets the maximum amount that suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity. 

From Wednesday 1 January 2025, gas prices will be capped at 6.24p per kilowatt hour (kWh) and electricity at 24.86p per kWh – up from 6.24p and 24.5p now. 

Standing charges - a fixed daily charge that covers the cost of connecting to the supply - are not changing from 32p a day for gas and 61p a day for electricity.

What does this mean for you?

The price cap doesn’t limit your total bill. How much you actually pay will depend on: 

• how much energy your household uses; 
• how you pay your bill; and 
• the type of meter you have. 

So if you need to use more energy – because you have a large family, or you have a health condition that means you need to have a warmer home, you might need to pay even more. 

Easy ways to save energy

Not all energy-saving measures are expensive and time consuming. There’s lots of easy and inexpensive ways you can cut your energy use and save money - discover our top tips.
 

Get help

If you’re worried about your energy bills, we’re here to help – call us on 0808 808 2282  or, if you’d rather speak to someone over email or WhatsApp, get in touch via our website contact form today.

Our friendly advisors are on hand to give you free, expert and impartial advice about ways you can reduce your bills and make your home warmer. They can explore any funding available and offer specialist advice if you need additional support.

If you need help, don’t put off contacting us. As you might expect, our service is busier in the winter months, so don’t delay – get in touch now.

Are you – or is someone you know - of State Pension age (aged 66 years plus), on a low income, and would welcome extra help with the cost of keeping warm this winter? 

If so, you may be eligible for Pension Credit and other support including the Winter Fuel Payment.*

Read on to find out more.

What is Pension Credit?

Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. 

You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. Around 1.4 million people already receive Pension Credit.

How much is Pension Credit worth?

Pension Credit is worth, on average, £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including help with council tax, NHS dental care and - for those aged over 75 - a free TV licence.

Thanks to the Pension Credit backdating rules, it is possible to apply and have the claim backdated by up to three months if you were eligible during that time. 

This means that the latest date to apply and still be eligible for Pension Credit and a Winter Fuel Payment is Saturday 21 December 2024.

Find out if you’re eligible

You must live in Scotland, England or Wales and have reached State Pension Age to qualify for Pension Credit.

Visit the UK Government website to read more about eligibility for Pension Credit. You might be able to use the Pension Credit calculator to check your eligibility and get an estimate of how much you could get.

Get help this winter

If you need help to keep your home warm this winter, contact us for free, expert and impartial advice. Our friendly advisors can tell you about ways to make your home warmer and more affordable to heat. They can explore any funding available, check if you’re eligible for a qualifying benefit and offer specialist advice to those who need additional support. 

*Eligibility criteria applies.

Payments this winter

This winter you’ll be able to apply for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. You will be eligible for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this winter if you receive a qualifying benefit. This should be paid to you automatically - you only need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make a claim if you live outside the UK.

What has changed?

The Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland is being replaced by a new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. This payment will be delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this winter. You’ll need to meet new eligibility criteria to receive the payment.   

Who is eligible for the winter fuel payment in Scotland?

To be eligible, you must have been born before 23 September 1958 and receive an eligible benefit. This includes any of the following income-related benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit. 

How much is the winter fuel payment?

The payment will be £200 or £300 and aims to help you pay your heating bills over winter.  

The amount is based on your age and circumstances between 16 and 22 September 2024. The amount depends on factors such as whether you live alone, with another person of qualifying age, or in a care home.  

Get help this winter

If you need help to keep your home warm this winter, contact us for free, expert and impartial advice. Our friendly advisors can tell you about ways to make your home warmer and more affordable to heat. They can explore any funding available, check if you’re eligible for a qualifying benefit and offer specialist advice to those who need additional support.  

Stone tenement flats built before the early 20th century are common in Scottish cities like Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. They’re often colder, draughtier, and more expensive to heat than newer homes. However, there are simple steps you can take to make your flat more energy efficient to help you save money and make your home more sustainable too. Here’s our top five tips.

1. Keep the cold out

Tenements are often draughtier than newer homes, which can increase heating costs as well as making your home feel chilly. Although you do need some ventilation, sealing draughts around windows, under doors, between floorboards, and in unused chimneys can make a big difference. Draught-proofing gaps can save you around £85 a year* and will make your tenement home feel much warmer.

2. Stop heat going out the window 

Lots of heat can escape through your windows in a tenement, as windows are often single glazed. Depending on your budget, there are a few things you can do to tackle this, starting with simple things like getting thick, lined curtains to keep the heat in at night or using your shutters.

Double or secondary glazing could make a big difference but can be quite costly. There may also be planning restrictions on what you can install depending on where you live, so get some advice from your local council. There are options like ultra-thin double glazing that could suit your home. 

3. Insulate your home

Making sure your tenement home is well insulated can cut unnecessary heat loss. There are several options depending on your property and budget. If you’re struggling with the costs of installation, you may be eligible for funding through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme. 

If you’re on the bottom floor and you have a wooden floor, these are usually suspended, which means you can insulate it to make your home warmer. This could save you £60 a year*. Even just laying down a thick rug over wooden floorboards, or a carpet with thick underlay, can make your home a lot warmer. For top floor flats, loft insulation can keep your home warm. It can also save you £190 a year*. You’ll need to find out who owns the loft – it may be communal, or it might belong to the owners of the top floor flat.

Finally, you should think about solid wall insulation if you’re serious about improving comfort or if your building is undergoing wider renovations. Internal wall insulation will probably be the most suitable option and there are a few ways of doing this – it’s important to use a breathable material to stop damp building up, especially in a traditional older home. 

4. Take control of your heating

Installing and correctly using a full set of heating controls could save you money. They can control the temperature in each room and when the heating goes on and off. When used properly, they can give you a better understanding of your heating and help prevent you from wasting energy and money whilst keeping your home warm and comfortable. Installing a programmer and thermostat could save you £65 a year*. 

If you’ve got an old heating system, upgrading it could have a big impact on your energy bills. Contact us for advice. 

5. Don’t forget the communal areas

It’s easy to overlook communal areas like stairwells, but making improvements like draught proofing or even replacing your front door can help reduce heat loss in your building. You will need to team up with your neighbours to organise getting the work done, along with your landlord if you rent your home.
If you’d like to see personalised recommendations on which home improvements are best for you, use our Home Energy Check to get personalised recommendations that could help you save money.

*Savings based on a typical three-bedroom semi-detached gas heated home, using an average gas price of 5.5p/kWh and an average electricity price of 22.4p/kWh. Correct as of July 2024.