Ofgem has confirmed that the average annual energy bill will be below £2,000 for the first time since April 2022.
The energy price cap is set to fall to £1,923 from October for the last quarter of the year, Ofgem has just announced.
In a change that’s set to bring the average annual household energy bill to below £2,000 for the first time since April 2022, the energy regulator has just announced this morning that the energy price cap will once make a further reduction from October.
From 1 October – 31 December, the cap will be set at an annual level of £1,923 for a dual-fuel household, according to Ofgem.
The change could save households an average of £151 on the previous quarter.
Ofgem says the energy price drop – which is at the lowest level since October 2021 – “reflects further falls in wholesale energy prices” as the market “stabilises”, and as suppliers return to a “healthier financial position” after four years of loss-making following the COVID pandemic and amid the cost of living crisis.
These energy price cap savings continue on the downward trend since prices peaked at £4,279, however, it remains well above the average before the energy crisis took hold in 2021.
The energy regulator has conceded that market unfortunately “remains volatile”.
Alongside changes to the energy price cap, Ofgem has also announced measures to reduce costs for prepayment meter customers this morning – which is says ensures “extra support” for those struggling and most at-risk of being “disconnected” from the network.
Ofgem’s announcement of the lowering of the energy price cap comes within the same week that a shocking new survey by Which? found that nearly nine in 10 (85%) British households admitted to trying to cut back on their energy usage due to rising bills putting significant financial, physical, and emotional strains on consumers.
The same survey also revealed that 13 million Brits didn’t put their heating on when it got cold last winter, claiming they were “too scared” to do so.
Energy costs are dropping slightly for most households from 1 October. But rates will be incredibly high still, and we’re not getting the extra support we did last winter.
Which? also found that consumers in at-risk groups – including those in lower-income households, and those aged 45-64 years old – were more likely than others to not turn the heating on when it’s cold, which the consumer group said “clearly demonstrates” just how many people have had to make “severe cutbacks” to afford their energy bills.
Experts also claimed people may be “putting their own health at risk” in the process of trying to afford their energy bills.
The next quarterly energy price cap announcement will be in November 2023, which will cover January – March 2024, Ofgem has confirmed.
Aldi is giving Leedsshoppers the chance to take part in a real-life supermarket sweep for charity.
Building on the success of Aldi Scotland’s long-running initiative – which has raised more than £60,000 for charity over the past decade – Aldi is bringing its successful ‘Supermarket Sweep’ fundraiser to England and Wales for the first time, and shoppers from across Leeds and West Yorkshire will have the chance to take part for a brilliant cause.
10 winners will be selected to take part in the challenge at their local Aldi store, racing against the clock to fill their trolley with Aldi products in just five minutes.
Once the dash is complete, Aldi will donate the full value of each winning trolley to Teenage Cancer Trust, helping to support young people with cancer across the UK.
Unfamiliar with Supermarket Sweep the TV show? This is how it works.
Images: Aldi
The game consists of three teams of two, each with a clock that starts with 60 seconds on it. The teams then attempt to add as much time as possible to their clock by answering questions and riddles posed by the host. The time they accumulate determines how long they have in the ‘Big Sweep’ round to run around a studio mock-up of a supermarket, collecting shopping items.
The team with the shopping trolley filled with items of the most value wins the chance to enter the final ‘Super Sweep’ prize round.
Speaking as entries to the unique competition open this week, Julie Ashfield, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “Our customers are always incredibly supportive of the causes we champion, and we’re pleased to be bringing this much-loved fundraising initiative to England and Wales for the first time.
“We can’t wait to give shoppers the opportunity to put their trolley-dashing skills to the test, while helping to raise vital funds for Teenage Cancer Trust. Every pound raised will help the charity continue providing specialist care and support to young people with cancer when they need it most.”
The competition is now open, with entries closing at 23:59 on Tuesday 4 August.
To enter, you’ll simply need to email aldisupermarketsweep@aldi.co.uk with your details for the chance to win, and you can find all the terms and conditions here.
‘This Yorkshire city has it all’ – Leeds crowned as one of the UK’s most underrated city breaks
Clementine Hall
Leeds has been named as one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK by Time Out.
It's time to cancel your city break to London, Edinburgh or wherever you think the grass is greener...because Leeds is now the place to beat.
A new article by Time Out has crowned Leeds as one of the most underrated locations for a UK city break, and we couldn't agree more.
The article praises Leeds for it's fabulous independent music venues, sprawling green spaces and standout restaurants.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
In fact, they perfectly paint out how your city break in Leeds could look. From seeing a gig at the Brudenell Social Club and enjoying dinner at the critically acclaimed Highland Laddie, to drinking at The Domino Club and exploring the 700-acre fields of Roundhay Park.
But don't just take our word for it, here's what the piece had to say about our wonderful city: "Anyone who has ever lived in Leeds already knows its brilliance. From unrivalled independent music venues to sprawling green spaces to quietly outstanding restaurants, this Yorkshire city has it all.
"But outside of God’s Own County, it’s not necessarily the first place people think of when planning a UK day trip or staycation...For starters, it’s the home of Brudenell Social Club, which Time Out recently crowned the greatest live music venue in the entire UK.
"Leeds’ food scene is something to behold, too. Bavette, with its perfectly prepared French fare, is Time Out’s favourite restaurant there (it recently earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its excellent value), closely followed by the uber-cool Empire Cafe, the wondrous Ox Club and the intimate Sushi Nakamura."
We agree with absolutely everything being said, and it's got us craving a city break in our very own city. You can read the full article here.
Emily Sergeant -
25th August 2023 
