Ofgem has today announced that the energy price cap will rise by 5% from January for the first quarter of 2024.
After the energy regulator brought the average annual household energy bill to below £2,000 for the first time since April 2022 with its last announcement back in August for the final quarter of 2023, Ofgem has just announced this morning that the energy price cap will unfortunately be rising once the new year rolls around.
The energy price cap is – which is updated every quarter throughout the year – sets a maximum that can be charged to customers for energy bills.
From 1 January 2024, the price cap will increase by 5% on the previous quarter to 31 March, which means that, for an average household paying by direct debit for dual fuel, this equates to £1,928 and a rise of £94 over the course of a year.
The 5% rise also means the average household could be spending around £7.83 extra on bills a month.
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The quarterly energy Price Cap will change from 1 January 2024.
With the rising cost of living crisis sadly continuing the make its impact felt nationwide, the energy price cap increase is sure to mean thousands of Brits will be facing another difficult winter.
According to Ofgem, today’s price cap increase is driven almost-entirely by rising costs in the international wholesale energy market, and is due to “market instability” and “global events” – particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Ofgem’s announcement of the energy price cap rise comes only a few months after a shocking 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, as they claimed they were just “too scared” to do so.
Ofgem announces energy price cap will rise by 5% to £1,928 from January / Credit: Pxhere
Ofgem says its “priority” is to “protect consumers” and “ensure they pay a fair price for their energy” this winter.
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“This is a difficult time for many people, and any increase in bills will be worrying,” Ofgem’s CEO Jonathan Brearley commented on the price cap announcement today, “But this rise is a result of the wholesale cost of gas and electricity rising, which needs to be reflected in the price that we all pay.
“It is important that customers are supported and we have made clear to suppliers that we expect them to identify and offer help to those who are struggling with bills.
The Price Cap sets a limit on the maximum amount suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity you use, including the daily standing charge.
Today we have announced what the price cap will be from 1 January 2024.
“We are also seeing the return of choice to the market, which is a positive sign.
“Customers could benefit from shopping around with a range of tariffs now available offering the security of a fixed rate or a more flexible deal that tracks below the price cap.”
Mr Brearley added that people should “weigh up all the information” and “seek independent advice” from trusted sources, all while consider what’s “most important” for them – whether that’s the lowest price, or the security of a fixed deal.
The next quarterly energy price cap announcement covering April – June 2024 is expected to be made next February, Ofgem has confirmed.
Featured Image – Pxhere
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Andy Burnham explains why Number 10 North is so important as it officially ‘opens for business’
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has explained his key reasons for launching Number 10 North as it officially ‘opens for business’ this week.
You may remember that earlier last month, Andy Burnham revealed he had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, with the new base expected to be a ‘dominant driver of the UK’s economy’ once it was officially up and running… and now, fast forward to today, Number 10 North is officially ‘open for business’.
Operating from Heron House in Manchester city centre, as previously reported on, Number 10 North will be the Government’s new ‘situation room for growth’.
It also brings the ‘levers’ of local economic growth and devolution together under one roof for the first time ever.
Number 10 North has officially ‘opened for business’ / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
With the Prime Minister expected to work from Number 10 North each week, so that decisions about the country’s economic future will no longer exclusively be made in Westminster, and with other ministers also working from there on a regular basis, the Government says the move underlines its determination to ‘do things differently’.
Now that Number 10 North has officially opened, Andy Burnham and his fellow ministers have explained why this move is so important for not just Manchester, but the north as a whole.
“For 40 years, power and resources have been sucked into the centre, and too many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve,” explained Andy Burnham.
“Number 10 North will change that by putting more power into every postcode across the entire country. It will be the situation room for making Britain better, the place we use to get power out of Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can turn things around.
“The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over, for good.”
First Secretary Louise Haigh added: “Today marks a fundamental re-balancing of where power sits in our country. Number 10 North has been set up to drive economic growth in every postcode and put power in the hands of every community.
“Through this department, this Government will ensure that the places overlooked by Westminster for decades are given a real voice.
“Number 10 North is open for business.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Scissors, toy guns, and baseball bat among 100+ items confiscated by security at Manchester Airport
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Airport has revealed a shocking list over 100 items confiscated by security staff in just one morning.
And honestly, you won’t believe some of the things people have tried to take on a plane.
With schools across Greater Manchester having now broken up for the summer holidays, and families getting ready to jet off on their holidays, Manchester Airport is urging all passengers travelling over the next six weeks to make sure they know the hand luggage rules before boarding the plane, after more than 100 items recently had to be confiscated by security in one morning alone.
12 pairs of scissors, 10 toy guns, seven corkscrews, four knives, two loose chisels, a pair of pliers, and even a baseball bat were among the items forming part of the shocking confiscation haul.
On top of this, security also confiscated dozens of cosmetic products, drinks bottles, and food items like multipacks of yoghurts.
Scissors, toy guns, and a baseball bat are among 100+ items confiscated by security at Manchester Airport / Credit: Manchester Airport
Although new 3D scanning technology has been installed at both of Manchester Airport’s terminals now, making the process smoother overall, those travelling during the busy summer period are reminded that attempting to bring non-compliant items through airport security causes delays for themselves and for others.
Airport security bosses are encouraging people to reacquaint themselves with the rules for hand luggage before packing for their journey.
“We’re proud of the role we play in getting people’s journeys off to the right start, and more than 97% of our passengers are getting through security checks in under 15 minutes,” commented Sakib Mahmood, who is the Security Duty Manager for T2 at Manchester Airport
All if these items were confiscated in just one morning / Credit: Manchester Airport
“But each time we have to pull a bag aside for a manual search it can take several minutes, and that can quickly start to add up and create delays.
“The range of items confiscated here in just a few hours shows what our security officers are up against every day, but when it comes to working out what is restricted and what is not, we know some items are more obvious than others.
“If you take a moment to reacquaint yourself with the rules before packing your hand luggage, it can save you lots of time when you get to Security, and avoids you losing items like water guns or bottles of suncream that you want to take on your holiday with you.
“In many cases, items like these which may fall foul of hand luggage restrictions can be taken in your hold luggage, so if in any doubt, pack the item in your suitcase rather than your carry-on bag.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd November 2023 
