Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Martin Lewis gives verdict on whether energy bills will rise in April

Money Saving Expert believes the average household will continue paying £2,500 a year

Mustafa Javid Qadri
Friday 03 March 2023 10:54 GMT
Comments
Ofgem: Martin Lewis warns of 20 per cent increase in energy bills

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Consumer champion Martin Lewis has shared his verdict on whether energy bills will rise in April.

The Money Saving Expert believes the government will continue its support, which is due to stop in April, meaning the average household will continue paying a maximum of £2,500 a year.

He said there was a “better than 50 per cent chance” that energy bills will stay at that rate instead of rising to £3,000 a year from April, amid speculation that government support will be maintained.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I was saying earlier in the week, reading the runes, it was a better than 50 per cent chance that the price wouldn’t go up.”

He said some energy firms were already planning to keep April’s rates at current levels, suggesting energy help will continue.

“I’m hearing they have not been told that the rate is staying. They have been told that there is an attempt to keep the rate at £2,500. So we’re not at the smoking gun stage that this is definitely happening, but I would say we’re at an 85 per cent likelihood that the price won’t be going up.”

He added: “If there’s no U-turn, you’ll pay 20 per cent more than you do now. If there is a U-turn, you’ll pay exactly the same as you do now.”

It comes after the BBC reported that some energy firms were planning to amend customer’s bills in anticipation that the government will keep support at or near current levels.

The government has previously said help for bills was under review.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in