Brits warned over ‘world-beatingly excessive’ power payments as Starmer advised to ‘act now’
Electricity bills in 2023 were the highest among comparable countries, with UK consumers owing £3.7 billion for gas and electricity in 2024, more than double the amount in 2021
Brits have been issued a warning that the Government needs to up its game when it comes to energy price hikes, as we have “world-beatingly high” bills. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has had a gander at the numbers and they’re not pretty – electricity bills in 2023 were through the roof compared to other countries.
And it also emerged that consumers are in debt by a whopping £3.7 billion for gas and electricity in 2024, which is more than double what it was back in 2021. The PAC is on the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ) case to get their act together, demanding better help for households at risk of fuel poverty and a crystal-clear plan with deadlines to bring those bill prices down.
The committee’s leader, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown warned: “Sharp moves in energy prices in the future must find Government fully prepared to issue targeted and effective support, with those most in need the focus of that support.”
He went on to slam the scattergun approach of chucking money around, saying: “We cannot see a repetition of precious funds being beamed out across the spectrum to those who do not require help. This approach is all the more important when our report shows some households remain exposed, at a time when the UK’s electricity bills appear world-beatingly high and debt weighs down bill-payers’ finances to an alarming degree.”
The PAC has criticised the DESNZ for its sluggish response to previous energy price surges and its inability to effectively target support, noting that some who didn’t require assistance still benefited from the £44 billion energy bill aid schemes. The committee has called on the DESNZ to ramp up financial support for consumers ahead of next winter, stating that both the department and energy watchdog Ofgem “are not doing enough” to provide proper advice and support to those spiralling into debt due to their energy bills.
The report stated: “We remain concerned that even after the crisis has subsided, UK electricity bills are the highest of the countries providing comparable data to the International Energy Association. The UK had the highest electricity price out of 25 countries reporting both domestic and industrial electricity prices in 2023, (including taxes and levies) and electricity is currently four-times more expensive than gas.”, reports Bristol Live.
It continued: “Despite repeated promises, the department has delayed taking action to rebalance energy prices by shifting the cost of environmental levies from electricity to gas. In addition, the department is reviewing how electricity prices are set for households so that they can benefit from cheaper rates if demand is low or when the weather means more energy is produced.”
However, it pointed out: “But this review has been running for three years and remains on an uncertain timetable, meaning it is unclear when consumers will start to see the benefits through reductions to their bills.”
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) issued a stark warning, urging the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to convince Parliament it has a solid plan in place to guarantee the UK’s energy supply amid escalating global tensions.
Meanwhile, an Ofgem spokesperson acknowledged the crippling energy costs facing many households, stating: “We know the cost of energy is a huge challenge for many households. If anyone is worried about paying their bills, we urge them to contact their supplier or groups like Citizens Advice to make sure they’re getting all the help they can. Switching or fixing tariffs now, where possible, could also help consumers to bring costs down.”
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