(PA file)
The online services of British Gas, EDF Energy and other energy companies have stopped working on the last day for customer metering. The providers said they could not accept cash metrics through their websites or applications as a result of problems. The pages on the British Gas website were loaded but refused to be read, while the EDF website stated that it was down due to “basic maintenance work” and that it would “be up and running again soon”. Other energy companies seemed to be having similar problems. Shell Energy’s website was down, and customers reported problems with the Scottish Power’s website. It comes as Octopus Energy chief Greg Jackson said it takes measurements of 40,000 meters per hour, while a normal day is only a few thousand. “I think with most companies, certainly with the Octopus, you can give it away anytime next week and you know, we’ll apply it the day you got it,” Jackson told BBC Radio 4 ‘s World At One program.
Basic points
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When do gas and electricity prices go up and why? The increase in the price of energy is explained
From 1 April, the ceiling will be raised from 27 1,277 to 97 1,971 for a household in average use. This means an increase of £ 693 per year for the average customer. Prepaid cash customers will see an even bigger increase of 70 708 from 30 1,309 to 17 2,017. My colleague Joe Sommerlad reports: Emily Atkinson31 March 2022 16:09 1648737001
Energy companies criticized as sites crash in a hurry to submit cash counts
Consumer groups have criticized energy companies for failing to prevent a large-scale collapse of their websites as customers rushed to submit measurements ahead of Friday’s price increase. Customers reported problems logging in to supplier sites, including British Gas, EDF, E.On, SSE, So Energy and Octopus Energy as early as Thursday. Experts such as Martin Lewis, the founder of Citizens Advice and MoneySavingExpert, urged homeowners to submit cash counts to avoid overcharging for their use after the 54% increase in Ofgem’s price cap on Friday. Citizens Advice’s energy policy chief Gillian Cooper said: “This is a frustrating situation for customers, many of whom are already incredibly worried about how to deal with rising bills. “We know that some energy companies have taken steps to prepare for a wave of people sending metrics, but it was clearly not enough. “If you managed to take a picture of your meter, you will be able to contact your provider with proof of use by March 31. If you could not take a meter reading your energy company will use a reasonable estimate of energy consumption before increase the price cap for calculating your account. “ Which? Consumer rights author Adam French said: “Energy companies should have prepared for a larger number of customers to come in contact with and support those customers who were trying to submit their cash indications today.” Thomas Kingsley31 March 2022 15:30 1648736101
Businesses are facing a 250 percent increase in gas bills
Small and medium-sized enterprises face an average increase in their gas bill of more than 250%, according to a survey conducted by market researcher Cornwall Insight. Wholesale market instability, among other factors, has led to a significant rise in gas prices for all consumers. However, unlike domestic customers, non-domestic customers have not yet seen any specific government support for managing the record high energy bills they face. The volatile energy market is also seeing suppliers withdraw their bids in the short term, making it difficult for business customers to secure the contracts they need and can lead to higher costs due to the nature of this volatility. Craig Lowrey, Senior Consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: “The last two years have been incredibly difficult for small and medium-sized businesses, with many still struggling to keep their heads above water. Record high energy bills will burden their profits in an already very difficult economic environment. (Getty Images) Thomas Kingsley31 March 2022 15:15 1648735201
Demonstrations are planned for the cost of living crisis and P&O layoffs
A series of demonstrations will take place across the country in the coming days over the cost of living crisis and the ongoing outrage over the dismissal of 800 P&O workers. The People’s Assembly said it expects thousands of protesters to take to the streets on Saturday across locations across the UK to highlight those suffering “real hardship” due to a combination of rising fuel and food prices, inflation and low wages. The unions have complained that Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s spring statement last week did nothing to allay fears of a spike in fuel bills and rising inflation. Read the full story below: Thomas Kingsley31 March 2022 15:00 1648734301
Octopus Energy boss urges customers not to panic as 40,000 meter counts per hour
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World At One program, Greg Jackson said: “I think with most companies, certainly with the Octopus, you can give it anytime next week and you know, we’ll apply it the day you got it. » Mr Jackson said he was “very confident that this would be the case worldwide” and added: “Right now, to put a number in, we have about 40,000 counts per hour and a normal day is a few thousand. ” He said that while people should be reading just before the price change, it should not be submitted immediately. The CEO of the energy company Octopus urged people not to panic about submitting a meter reading before April 1, as he said that the company receives 40,000 measurements per hour. Thomas Kingsley31 March 2022 14:45 1648733701
Suspension to limit fracking wells as the government considers its energy strategy
The UK’s only shale gas wells will not be closed at the end of June, as regulators lift the mandate to limit them. Fracking Cuadrilla had been instructed to plug its wells in Lancashire by the end of June 2022. However, the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) said the company now had until the end of June 2023 to evaluate the options for Preston New Road and Elswick. The move comes ahead of the publication of the government’s belated energy strategy, with Boris Johnson coming under pressure from Tory lawmakers to end the moratorium on fracking. Cuadrilla CEO Francis Egan said: “I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Minister of Operations who saw the light and realized – just in time – how absurd it would be to force us to throw concrete at the only two sustainable shales. of Britain. wells in the midst of an energy crisis. “But this suspension will have a dead end unless we now reverse the moratorium that prevents us from using wells (and the like) to get shale gas out of the ground and flow into British households.” Thomas Kingsley31 March 2022 14:35 1648732801
Martin Lewis shares five tips to save hundreds of pounds on fuel as gasoline prices continue to soar
Money savvy expert Martin Lewis shared top tips to help drivers save thousands of pounds on fuel. Mr Lewis estimates that for someone driving 15,000 miles a year with an average of 35 miles per gallon (12.4 km / L), simply buying gasoline at the UK average would cost 96 2,963 a year from March 2022 The 25% reduction could save £ 741 / year. Our reporter, Maryam Zakir-Hussain, has the full list below: Thomas Kingsley31 March 2022 14:20 1648732201
NEW: ‘Unprecedented Demand’ for Cash Read Submissions Behind Website Error – EDF
Energy supplier EDF Energy has released a new statement about bugs for websites and applications for customers submitting cash metrics. “We are seeing an unprecedented demand from customers trying to submit a meter reading either online or via the EDF mobile app, which has led to technical problems. We continue to resolve this issue as quickly as we can and apologize for any inconvenience. cause this “, the announcement states. “We urge customers not to worry and we want to reassure them that they do not need to submit cash counts to us today and can share them with us in the coming days. In the meantime, we would encourage customers who typically submit cash counts to either take a photo or mark their counter. “Customers who have a smart meter or have a fixed invoice do not need to do anything right now.” Thomas Kingsley31 March 2022 14:10 1648731901
Child poverty is described as a “spot on our nation” as new data show more than a quarter below the line
The 20 20 increase in Universal Credit introduced during the Covid pandemic, which was scrapped by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last fall, played a role in lifting 400,000 children out of poverty, according to new data released today. However, the charities said the withdrawal of the increase, coupled with the chancellor’s refusal to upgrade welfare benefits amid rising inflation, means many of the same children will be driven into poverty again this year. The Child Poverty Action group accused ministers of “turning their backs on low-income families” following a mini-budget in which Mr Sunak cut fuel prices for motorists and promised a reduction in income tax for workers, but left the annual increase in allowances to 3.1 per cent in a year where inflation is expected to reach almost 9%. Our political editor, Andrew Woodcock, has the full story below: Thomas Kingsley31 March 2022 14:05 1648731001
Energy UK urges customers to find alternative ways to submit cash displays
A spokesman for Energy UK, the industry association, said: “We know that some vendors are having problems with their websites due to the volume of customers who submit cash displays. “Vendors offer alternative ways to do this, such as through automated telephone lines and applications, so we would recommend that customers try them. Customers with smart meters do not need to worry as …
