The Price Cap has been limited - for now

The new Prime Minister announced on Thursday that fuel prices will be capped at £2,500 for two years. This will come as a huge relief to many, and money will also be set aside for businesses and for those (particularly in rural areas) relying on oil for heating. The details of how the rollout will happen are not yet clear due to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but we await further guidance.

Our initial impression is that the price cap limitation is hugely welcome to many households who will find it easier to cope this Winter and next. However, for those people living on the lowest incomes, initial analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that they are likely to be around £783 worse off.

Source: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

With food prices and other prices rising sharply as a result of huge inflation, the amount that those on benefits receive is buying less and less. Citizens Advice North Lancashire, along with our national organisation, hopes that the government will ensure that additional emergency measures are put in place to protect the most vulnerable this Winter who tend to pay disproportionalely high rates for their energy use.

In the poorest areas of our District there are high numbers of flats and houses that use electricity for heating. This impacts people's ability to keep warm, and combined with a cold Winter and rising food prices, may make a difficult Winter for many.

Citizens Advice North Lancashire is here to help residents who need advice and we can refer people to our local foodbanks, food clubs, to the Hardship Fund, and we can supply fuel vouchers where necessary. We can also help with benefit checks, applying for benefits, debt, advice around housing, employment or family issues. If you or someone you know is struggling to make ends meet, get in touch.

If you are confident using the internet it may be worth seeing if you can get information and advice via the national website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk.

You can ring us on 0800 278 7882 or email enquiries@northlancashirecab.org.uk for advice via email. If you need a face to face appointment, give us a ring on 01524 400 404

If you want to access help from the Hardship Fund you need to ring Lancaster City Council on 01524 582 000 and they will refer you for an appointment with us.