Southampton pensioners fume over Ofgem energy price cap rise

Ofgem, which regulates the electricity and gas markets in the UK, is increasing the energy price cap by 6.4 per cent, which means that a household using typical amounts of power will see their bill rise £9.25 a month to £1,849 a year on average.

Tony Weafer, 72, argued that bills will continue to increase no matter what residents think or say.

“We wind ourselves up, even do a demonstration, nothing changes it,” the Shirley local said.

“Especially for older people on a smaller income, they’ve lost that winter fuel assistance, they’re going to put the prices up and they’re not going to get any help for it.

Tony Weafer, 72, said that everything is going up except income. (Image: Newsquest) “You get the other range of people who are single parents trying to survive and everything that they need to feed themselves and their kids is going up, everything except the income.”

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The price cap is reviewed every three months and puts a limit on the amount electric and gas suppliers can charge for each unit.

April’s price rise will come into effect at the same time as council tax and water bills increase.

Leslie Potha, 74, said that the increases were “a bit much”.

“I think people will struggle a bit more, especially those with children and on benefits,” she said.

Diane Waters, 78, called the situation “diabolical”, saying that “everything is getting a bit difficult” for people who are struggling.

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Ron Mitchell said that his friends have had to worry about rising prices for months now, but that there is “nothing people can do” because they have no influence over the price cap.

But Chris Carter, 69, thinks that there are still plenty of steps residents can take to cut down their bills.

Chris Carter, 69, says people can cut down their energy bills by using common sense. (Image: Newsquest) “My energy bill here is about £20 a week because I have no heating, no cooking, basically just lighting and machines,” Chris said.

“I appreciate it is going to affect others more than me, but a lot of people don’t help themselves.

“I have members of my own family that leave lights on, don’t wear enough clothes around the house.”

Chris argued that controlling energy bills is “common sense,” and that “common sense isn’t very common these days”.