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| Energy costs in Wales - how much will they rise by and what help is there? | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| With colder weather on the way, millions of households in Wales face another spike in energy costs. | With colder weather on the way, millions of households in Wales face another spike in energy costs. |
| From 1 October, 2025, the price for energy for a typical household will go up by 2% to £1,755 per year. | From 1 October, 2025, the price for energy for a typical household will go up by 2% to £1,755 per year. |
| Bills are significantly lower than they were at the peak of the energy crisis, but another winter of high energy bills, coupled with rising food costs, will be a cause of concern for many. | Bills are significantly lower than they were at the peak of the energy crisis, but another winter of high energy bills, coupled with rising food costs, will be a cause of concern for many. |
| We take a look at what help is available from the Welsh and the UK government. | We take a look at what help is available from the Welsh and the UK government. |
| Welsh government support | Welsh government support |
| The Welsh government estimates that one in four households in the country were living in fuel poverty this time last year, meaning they spent more than 10% of their total income on keeping their home warm. | The Welsh government estimates that one in four households in the country were living in fuel poverty this time last year, meaning they spent more than 10% of their total income on keeping their home warm. |
| Moreover, fuel poverty charity National Energy Action claimed 83% of all Wales' lower-income households were in fuel poverty last winter - with almost a quarter of those households in severe fuel poverty, spending more than 20% of their income on energy bills, the charity said. | Moreover, fuel poverty charity National Energy Action claimed 83% of all Wales' lower-income households were in fuel poverty last winter - with almost a quarter of those households in severe fuel poverty, spending more than 20% of their income on energy bills, the charity said. |
| For those in extreme hardship, the Discretionary Assistance Fund provides grants to help pay for gas and electricity. | For those in extreme hardship, the Discretionary Assistance Fund provides grants to help pay for gas and electricity. |
| The Welsh Government is also providing funding to the Fuel Bank Foundation, a charity which supports people who have to pre-pay for their fuel and are at risk of disconnection. The charity can provide emergency financial assistance. | The Welsh Government is also providing funding to the Fuel Bank Foundation, a charity which supports people who have to pre-pay for their fuel and are at risk of disconnection. The charity can provide emergency financial assistance. |
| More generally, the Welsh government's Warm Homes programme funds energy efficiency improvements via its Nest scheme. | More generally, the Welsh government's Warm Homes programme funds energy efficiency improvements via its Nest scheme. |
| UK government support | UK government support |
| Energy regulator Ofgem says the energy costs are rising because transporting energy has become more expensive, and because the government needs to cover the cost of its energy policies. | Energy regulator Ofgem says the energy costs are rising because transporting energy has become more expensive, and because the government needs to cover the cost of its energy policies. |
| Those policies include providing extra financial support for people on benefits, as well as the cost of switching generators, such as windfarms, on and off - to maintain overall supply and demand. | Those policies include providing extra financial support for people on benefits, as well as the cost of switching generators, such as windfarms, on and off - to maintain overall supply and demand. |
| Policies in place to help those struggling with bills include the Warm Home Discount scheme, which offers low-income households, and those vulnerable to cold-related illness, a one-off energy bill rebate of £150. | Policies in place to help those struggling with bills include the Warm Home Discount scheme, which offers low-income households, and those vulnerable to cold-related illness, a one-off energy bill rebate of £150. |
| The scheme reopens in October 2025, with electricity suppliers applying the discount directly to bills of those eligible, which usually happens automatically. | The scheme reopens in October 2025, with electricity suppliers applying the discount directly to bills of those eligible, which usually happens automatically. |
| Those on a pre-pay, or pay-as-you-go, electricity meter can also get the discount if they are eligible - for example via a voucher to top up the meter. | Those on a pre-pay, or pay-as-you-go, electricity meter can also get the discount if they are eligible - for example via a voucher to top up the meter. |
| Older people will receive a winter fuel payment to help pay for heating bills. Individuals of state pension age, up to 79 years old, who are not living with another eligible person, will receive £200, while single householders aged 80 or older receive £300. | Older people will receive a winter fuel payment to help pay for heating bills. Individuals of state pension age, up to 79 years old, who are not living with another eligible person, will receive £200, while single householders aged 80 or older receive £300. |
| Only pensioners with an annual income of £35,000 or less will be eligible for the payment. They will receive a letter to say how much they will receive in October or November, with payment due in November or December. | Only pensioners with an annual income of £35,000 or less will be eligible for the payment. They will receive a letter to say how much they will receive in October or November, with payment due in November or December. |
| A Cold Weather Payment, helps people on certain benefits if the temperature drops to, or below zero, for seven consecutive days. Those eligible will get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026. | A Cold Weather Payment, helps people on certain benefits if the temperature drops to, or below zero, for seven consecutive days. Those eligible will get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026. |
| The energy price cap - how much an energy supplier can charge for each unit of energy, and for connecting customers to a gas and electricity supply - is reviewed every three months. | The energy price cap - how much an energy supplier can charge for each unit of energy, and for connecting customers to a gas and electricity supply - is reviewed every three months. |
| The current charges are in place until January. | The current charges are in place until January. |