quoted, not an average, the number that is quoted, in not an average, the number that is quoted, in itself it is not capped, it depends quoted, in itself it is not capped, it depends on usage. why is it that that is it depends on usage. why is it that that is the it depends on usage. why is it that that is the number that is talked about that is the number that is talked about rather than unit cost? let s about rather than unit cost? let s ask our exaert about rather than unit cost? let s ask our expert from about rather than unit cost? let s ask our expert from the - about rather than unit cost? let s ask our expert from the price comparison website. we are in a situation where understanding of the energy market is so much more in our headsit energy market is so much more in our heads it was previously. could you be more simple for consumers to understand? the be more simple for consumers to understand? understand? the answer is yes. i think with understand? the answer
will add to the financial pressures on people with low incomes. for more on this, here s our business presenter ben thompson. what is behind a massive rise in prices? the wholesale gas price, that has reached an all time high. the wholesale gas price has gone up by 250% since january. energy providers have inevitably been passing that cost on to us as customers doesn t usually at this point, and we have said it before, we would normally recommend that you shop around to find a cheaper deal on price comparison sites. the problem is right now there are very few of those deals available. that is in part down to the fact that many smaller energy firms, the ones that were competing with cheaper prices, they have already gone bust. 20 firms have gone out of business so far this year. the latest was zog energy which collapsed yesterday. the only real tip for people now of
inevitably been passing that cost on to us as customers. now, usually at this point, and we ve said it before, we would normally recommend that you shop around to find a cheaper deal on price comparison sites. but the problem is right now, there are very few of those deals available. that is, in part, down to the fact that many smaller energy firms, the ones that were competing with cheaper prices, well they ve already gone bust. 20 firms have gone out of business so far this year. the latest was zog energy that collapsed yesterday. the only real tip for people now, of course, is to keep your house well insulated and do what you can to use less energy, maybe turn off the lights, spend a bit less time in the shower, shorter and colder washing machine cycles. the mail on sunday newspaper has lost its appeal in its ongoing privacy dispute with meghan, duchess of sussex. associated newspapers had been appealing against the ruling not to hold a full trial,
under the price cap, a customer now pays £1277 a year if they use an average amount of gas and electricity. analysts expect that typical bill to rise to £1600 when a revised but as yet undecided cap starts in april. compare that with a year ago, when you could have got a deal costing just over £850 a year. we are competing with the rest of the world, the rest of europe for gas supplies. unfortunately, it is the reality. price comparison sites, which historically talk about how much we can save you by switching. the reality is that is not there at the moment, and very few people for the whole of this year, really, have been in a position where they would be able to save, compared to last year. steel producers confirmed they halted production at times of high demand, showing that industry, as well as consumers, is feeling the impact of rising costs. some of the heat was drawn from the crisis yesterday when russia said it would increase gas supplies to europe, helping to limit the late
price comparison sites, which historically talk about how much we can save you by switching. the reality is that is not there at the moment, and very few people for the whole of this year, really, have been in a position where they would be able to save, compared to last year. steel producers confirmed they halted production at times of high demand, showing that industry, as well as consumers, is feeling the impact of rising costs. some of the heat was drawn from the crisis yesterday when russia said it would increase gas supplies to europe, helping to limit the latest surge in wholesale gas prices. but it hasn t ended calls for the uk government to step in. the business secretary will be expected to address concerns of the energy sector today. but then also the worries of businesses and consumers in the weeks to come. joining me now is dale vince. he runs a green energy company that