‘Switch now’ to avoid April energy bill shock

Energy customers are being urged to avoid a bill shock by taking advantage of a last-minute surge in the choice of cheap deals on the market ahead of next week’s price cap increase.

Which? said there were more than 30 energy deals priced at under £1,000 a year – up from just eight in December. The consumer group said customers stuck on standard variable or default tariffs at the new April price cap level could potentially save as much as £329 a year by moving to the cheapest of these deals.

It said the increased price cap level from Monday will add £117 a year to the average annual gas and electricity bill for a household using a medium amount.

Natalie Hitchins, from Which?, said: “Our advice is simple – switch as soon as possible.”

Minimum contributions into workplace pensions are also set to rise in April.