Call for meter readings

MORE than seven million households still on a standard energy tariff have been urged to send in meter readings to avoid paying higher prices from October 1.

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The energy price cap will rise by 2% from Wednesday for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales, just as cooler temperatures see many switching on their central heating.

This means that the energy bill for the average household paying by direct debit for gas and electricity will rise from the current £1,720 to £1,755 per year.

Uswitch calculated that the average home on a standard tariff would spend £140 on energy in October compared with £63 in September, thanks to a combination of higher rates and increased usage in autumn.