Leading Energy Suppliers Cut Monthly Bills

Cheaper Gas and Electricity Bills from Top Providers

This winter Britain has seen the coldest weather for over thirty years and as a result, energy consumption has soared as people struggle to keep warm.

With the recent fall in wholesale gas and electricity and fears raised over the current cost of energy, especially for the most vulnerable during the recent cold spell, leading suppliers have announced cuts to their monthly bills.

Four of the ‘big six’ energy suppliers have recently announced cuts:

  • British Gas applied a 7% reduction on gas, making bills £4.58 a month cheaper.
  • Scottish and Southern Energy revealed its prices will drop by 4% on March 29th, seeing a saving of £2.50 a month.
  • Npower are set to cut gas prices by 7.1%, bringing a saving of £4.50 for dual fuel customers.
  • E.On cut gas bills by 6%, an equivalent to £3.90 a month.

Government Benefits

For those struggling to afford their monthly heating bills this winter, help may be available from the government as they currently offer cold weather payments, the boiler scrappage scheme and warm front scheme.

Alternatively it may benefit you to contact your energy provider directly and discuss your bill.

Payplan

If you are worried about being able to cover your monthly utility bills, contact Payplan today for free, confidential advice and help with debt.

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Could You Save £250 a Year on Your Mobile Phone Bill?

Britons Waste £13bn a Year on Unused Texts and Calls

New research supplied by moneysupermarket.com reveals that the average adult wastes almost half (45%) of their mobile tariff’s minutes and text allowance each month. Staggeringly, many mobile phone users could potentially save £250 a year on their mobile phone bills.

The research for the fourth annual Mobile Money Report found that customers on contractual plans were wasting 137 minutes every month, equating to 27 hours a year for the average pay monthly mobile user.

The research also suggests that adults are now wasting up to 40 per cent more minutes and twice as many texts (compared to the 2007 Mobile Money Report) with the average adult wasting over £250 worth of mobile allowance each year, raking in £13bn every year for the mobile industry.

Mike Wilson, manager of mobiles and broadband at moneysupermarket.com said:

“It’s great that consumers are under their monthly allowance to avoid any extra costs, but it’s also important to get the most out of your contract for what you pay each month. One of the best ways to do this is to assess what your monthly usage is and find a contract that suits you best.”

Contact Your Network Provider

If you have unused messages and calls left at the end of each month it may be useful to contact your
network provider to see if you can save money and cut your monthly bill.

Payplan

If you are struggling to meet your monthly payments contact Payplan today for free, confidential debt advice.

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Warning Over Credit Card Use to Pay Mortgage

1 Million People Pay Mortgage With Credit Card

Research conducted by housing charity Shelter found more than 1 million householders have resorted to credit cards in a bid to pay their mortgage during the last twelve months.

The survey highlighted 6% of those who were liable for paying their rent or mortgage had used credit cards as a method of payment, accounting for more than 1 million people.

Further findings saw 1 in 12 Londoners resorting to credit cards to pay their mortgage or rent.

Kay Boycott, Shelter’s director of policy and campaigns said:

‘This is a shocking discovery, that over a million households in Britain are in such desperate circumstances that they need to borrow money on credit cards to pay for basic housing costs’.

Warning

The charity has issued a stark warning to people about the dangers of using credit cards which could result in the loss of their home, warning that defaulting on their credit card repayments may lead to their homes being repossessed.

Seek Advice

The Charity advises those struggling with payments to seek advice immediately. You can find out more information by visiting the Shelter website, offering online advice.

Get Debt Help Now

Payplan offer debt advice on a range of issues. You can contact Payplan online for free advice and support to help manage your debts online.

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Help With Energy Bills

Get Help With Energy Bills In 2010

As the snow, ice and cold weather continues to cause havoc this week, people could be feeling financial strain when their next energy bills come through the post, as the UK uses more gas and electricity than usual in the struggle to keep warm.

According to research collected by The Scottish Power Energy People Trust there are over 2 million households throughout Britain already living in fuel poverty, spending more than 10% of their monthly income on basic energy needs (which, especially during Winter of course, includes keeping warm).

Finding help with energy bills is clearly becoming increasingly important.

Energy Suppliers and Charities that Offer Funding

If you’re having trouble paying your energy bills, Payplan recommends checking with your supplier to find out what help is available from them first.

British Gas Energy Trust

The British Gas Energy Trust offers grants to individuals and families in need, to cover arrears of energy charges and other household bills and costs.

To be eligible for an energy grant you must be a customer of British Gas or Scottish Gas.

Additionally, a winter fuel rebate of up to £90 may be available to British Gas’ most vulnerable customers.

Please contact The British Gas Trust for further information.

EDF Energy Trust Fund

EDF Energy currently fund the EDF Energy Trust, offering grants to people who have electricity, gas, telephone and other essential household bill debts.

To see if you qualify for a grant contact The EDF Energy Trust’s website for more information.

Government Schemes

The Government also offer help with various benefit and schemes to help those most vulnerable. If you are over 60 years old, you may qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. Claims for the Winter 09/10 must be made by 30 March, 2010.

The Government also offer other energy efficient money saving schemes such as free loft and cavity wall insulation and the recent Boiler Scrappage Scheme that has been introduced for this year.

For further information you can also visit the Direct.gov website.

Free Debt Advice

If you’re struggling to afford your monthly utility bills contact Payplan today for free advice on how to manage your debts.

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