Poorest facing a £57-a-year energy bill hike as cap rises

VULNERABLE households face paying £57 a year more for their energy from next month when the price cap rises, a consumer help website has warned.

Moneysavingexpert.com founder Martin Lewis said the energy price cap for prepayment and vulnerable customers will rise to £1,089 a year based on typical dual fuel usage.

There are four million prepayment customers and a further one million vulnerable customers on standard credit meters.

Several energy giants have already confirmed they will be increasing their prices to just £1 or £2 shy of the new figure – an average yearly rise of £57. Martin said: “As many of the poorest in society are on prepay, the sad news is that this is still an uncompetitive market.” He advised customers to check for cheaper tariffs or “switch to a normal meter”.

FEARS Money expert Martin Lewis