Money Box Live: What's going on with Energy Bills?

Money Box

BBC

Business

4.2 • 804 Ratings

🗓️ 21 February 2024

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How are you dealing with energy costs this winter?

Money Box Live has heard some people are skipping meals whilst others in full time employment are turning to warm banks and food hubs to cut costs.

The energy price cap, which is now what most of us pay, jumped 5% at the start of the year to £1928 for typical use - but what exactly does that mean and are you a typical user?

Meanwhile, the charity Citizens Advice has estimated two million people on prepayment meters could have their gas and electricity cut off because they cannot afford to top up.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says its spending an average of £3,700 per household to support families with the cost-of-living. And there is some relief on the way as prices are predicted to fall in the spring.

Answering all your questions and comments with Felicity Hannah is Peter Smith, Director of Policy at the charity National Energy Action and Deputy Policy Director Daniel Portis from Energy UK which speaks for the industry.

Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Sarah Rogers Editor: Jess Quayle

(This episode was first broadcast oat 3pm Wednesday the 24th of January 2024)

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	You are about to listen to a BBC podcast and I'd like to tell you a bit about what goes into making one.
0:06.5	I'm Sadata Sese, an assistant commissioner of podcasts for BBC Sounds.
0:11.2	I pull a lot of levers to support a diverse range of podcasts on all sorts of subjects,
0:16.0	relationships, identity, comedy, even one that mixes poetry, music and inner city life.
0:22.4	So one day I'll be helping host develop their ideas, the next fact-checking, a feature,
0:28.3	and the next looking at how a podcast connects with its audience, and maybe that's you.
0:33.6	So if you like this podcast, check out some others on BBC Sounds.
0:39.5	BBC Sounds, music, radio podcasts.
0:43.2	Hello.
0:44.0	As the cold weather bites, energy bills are biting harder too.
0:48.1	So that's what we're talking about on this week's Moneybox Live podcast.
0:51.9	We've been hearing from those who are skipping meals. We're definitely
0:55.3	cutting down, going without breakfast, without a doubt. While others in full-time employment
1:00.7	are turning to warm banks and food hubs. I'm working, but I'm struggling and it's like a little
1:06.7	mortgage into it. And some people are disconnecting completely. Tariffs are going up and everybody's
1:13.6	struggling and we've had a cold snap. So it's not a double, it's a triple wami really.
1:18.6	The energy price cap, which is what most of us pay, jumped 5% at the start of the year.
1:23.6	And now charities are calling for more support. Citizens' advice says two million
1:28.8	people on prepayment meters could go without heating and energy this winter because they
1:33.5	can't afford to top up. The spring weather, when it comes, will ease the strain, but partly
1:39.0	because the price is also set to fall. So today we're asking, how are you doing this winter compared to the last one?
1:45.9	Before we meet our experts, let's take a question.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.