Ben Gallizzi

England

Senior Content Editor at Uswitch

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Articles

Warm Home Discount to be offered to more people this winter

1 week ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

The government has revealed that the number of homes eligible for the Warm Home Discount this winter will be doubled for the 2025-26 winter. The Warm Home Discount gives customers £150 off their energy bills and was previously only available to those with the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or those on another means-tested benefit in a home with a high energy score. Now, though, it will be made eligible to anyone on a means-tested benefit regardless of their living situation.
Energy customers report increase in value for money in 2025 Uswitch Energy Awards

1 week ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Households across the UK are feeling more positive about their energy suppliers in 2025, with satisfaction around value for money jumping by 10% in the last year, according to a new survey of 15,000 customers from Uswitch.com as part of its 2025 Energy Awards. Octopus Energy topped the charts for Overall Customer Satisfaction and Customer Service, and shared the Value for Money award with Utility Warehouse.
Winter Fuel Payment U-turn will see 7.5 million pensioners regain eligibility

2 weeks ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

The government has officially announced a U-turn on its controversial scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment for millions of UK pensioners. Its policy had limited the payment of £200 (or £300 for households with someone over 80) to all but the poorest pensioners, with the number of eligible people dropping by about 10 million. The move was widely criticised and had been identified as one of the main reasons for a collapse in public support over the past few months.
300,000 homes at risk from imminent RTS electricity meter switch-off

3 weeks ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Homes with meters that still use RTS could be left with electricity that can’t be turned on or off, but in many cases they’re waiting for suppliers to reach them in order to replace them with more modern meters. RTS was introduced in the 1980s and is only now being retired because it can’t be properly maintained. It’s a multi-rate meter that enables customers to get cheaper night-time rates for their electricity when it’s used for heating and hot water.
Energy price cap to drop to £1,720 in July 2025

1 month ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Ofgem has today announced that the energy price cap for July 2025 will be set at £1,720 per year for average usage households paying by Direct Debit. This is a significant drop of 7% and will be welcome news for customers on standard variable tariffs who are affected by the price cap rising and falling.
Energy bill defaults reach historic highs, ONS data shows

1 month ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published figures showing that a record number of UK households defaulted on their energy bills (paid by direct debit) in April because they didn’t have enough money in their accounts. Statistics show that 2.7% of payments were defaulted, which is the highest number since the ONS’s records began in early 2019.
Energy price cap increases to £1,849: what can customers do?

2 months ago | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

The previously announced energy price cap increase from £1,738 to £1,849 comes into effect today. What are the implications for customers? Which customers are affected by the price cap? The price cap affects customers who aren’t on fixed energy deals. They might be on a “variable”, “standard” or “standard variable” deal which are all the same thing. Their unit rates and standing charges change every three months when the price cap changes and can go up or down. Is it cheaper to be on a fixed deal?
Over nine million households urged to read energy meters before 1 April

Mar 19, 2025 | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “With the price cap rising on 1 April, it’s important to submit a meter reading to avoid paying higher rates on any energy that you don’t need to. “Now is also an ideal time to look at switching to a new energy tariff. By opting for a fixed deal, you’re locking in those rates for the duration – which means households could have price certainty and avoid the ups and downs of the price cap.
Up to 170,000 homes to benefit from energy efficiency upgrades under the Warm Homes Plan

Mar 11, 2025 | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

Up to 170,000 low income households and social housing tenants will benefit from £1.8 billion allocated by the government to pay for energy efficiency upgrades under its Warm Homes Plan. As of 11 March 2025, the money will be allocated to local authorities and social housing providers to help with the installation of measures including insulation, solar panels and heat pumps. This will make homes more energy-efficient and bring energy bills down.
Energy customers living near new pylons could receive annual £250 discount on energy bills

Mar 10, 2025 | uswitch.com | Ben Gallizzi

People living near electricity pylons that are newly built or upgraded could receive £250 per year off their energy bills under new government plans. As part of the push towards sustainable energy generation (reducing the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels), new electricity pylons and substations must be built and existing infrastructure upgraded. Households within half a kilometre of any new or upgraded infrastructure projects could receive up to £2,500 over 10 years.