According to analysts at Cornwall Insights have said that annual energy bills will drop by £129 by 7% in July.
The fall in the energy price cap will be welcome news for millions of households as the typical electricity and gas bill will reduce to £1,720 a year.
However, in October the price cap will be reset in October, and it is expected there will be a further “modest” drop.
It is expected that energy bills will fall again in January, but with “changing weather patterns, the relaxation of EU gas storage rules, ongoing debates around US tariffs and the continuing impact of the war in Ukraine,” this could be affected.
Dr Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: “The fall in the price cap is a welcome development and will bring much-needed breathing space for households after a prolonged period of high energy costs. It’s a step in the right direction, but it should be taken in context.
“Prices are falling, but not by enough for the numerous households struggling under the weight of a cost-of-living crisis, and bills remain well above the levels seen at the start of the decade. As such, there remains a risk that energy will remain unaffordable for many.
“The fall is also a clear reminder of just how volatile the energy market remains – if prices can go down, they can bounce back up, especially with the unsettled global economic and political landscape we are experiencing. This is not the moment for complacency.
“The government must continue to explore targeted support, including social tariffs, to ensure those most in need are not left behind as the market evolves.
“While there is understandably a great deal of focus on widescale market reforms such as the introduction of zonal pricing, we must recognise that such changes will take years to come into effect.
“Discussions around ways to transform the energy market are important, but we must be careful to balance the transformational reforms and the urgent need to address the affordability crisis people are facing right now.
“There are, however, reasons for optimism. The continued growth of domestically produced renewable energy is a positive step forward. It improves our energy security and helps mitigate the effects of the global price shocks we’ve seen in recent years.
“That progress needs to continue at pace, not just for the net zero transition, but to help build a more stable and secure energy future for all.”
Leave a Comment