Energy bills set to rise by at least £850 a year
RESIDENTS in one area of the county could face an increase in their annual energy bills of more than £900, forecasters have predicted.
Calculations based on average domestic usage according to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, combined with Ofgem’s price cap figures for customers paying by direct debit, suggest the biggest increase in bills will be in Harborough.
On average, households in Harborough face bills of £2,161, up from £1,390 recorded in summer 2021.
The lowest rise by local authority area is predicted in Charnwood, at £849, according to the Reach data unit.
The energy price cap will rise by 54 per cent on April 1, after a 12 per cent rise in October.
However, Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed households in England which are in council tax bands A to D will receive a £150 rebate to mitigate the rises.
That will cover about 86 per cent of all households in Leicestershire.
Electricity customers will also receive a £200 discount from October, though this will have to be repaid in £40 instalments over the next five years.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the right-wing campaign group TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “This announcement amounts to nothing more than giving with one hand to take with the other.”
“If ministers really want to help households with the cost of living, they should power ahead with suspending green levies and the planned National Insurance hike.”
Mr Sunak said: “Right now, I know the number one issue on people’s minds is the rising cost of living.
“That’s why the government is stepping in with direct support that will help about 28 million households with their rising energy costs over the next year.
“We stood behind British people and businesses throughout the pandemic and it’s right we continue to do that as our economy recovers.”
The government is stepping in with direct support that will help about 28 million households
Rishi Sunak