Martin Lewis warns British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON, Octopus customers may break law this week

Mr Lewis warned customers and households over taking a meter reading this week as the new Ofgem price cap changes.

Martin Lewis has warned British Gas, EDF, EON and Octopus customers they may have BROKEN THE LAW this week. BBC Sounds podcast and ITV star Mr Lewis warned customers and households over taking a meter reading this week as the new Ofgem price cap changes.

Average energy bills across Great Britain have just risen by £149 a year today, as the latest energy price cap kicks in. The cap, set each quarter by regulator Ofgem based on the wholesale price of energy, has just risen by 10% to £1,717 a year for an average dual-fuel household in Great Britain paying by direct debit.

That’s an increase of almost £150 per year compared with the cap in April-June, based on the energy use for a typical household. And while the cap is lower than the £2,500 at which the last government froze maximum bills at the height of the energy crisis, it’s still sharply higher than in autumn 2021, when average bills were capped at £1,277 a year.

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Mr Lewis said: "To make sure there are no discrepancies in the amount you're charged on the higher rate and on the lower rate when prices change, it's a good idea to give a meter reading to your supplier on or around Sunday. This stops your supplier from estimating your usage, and potentially assuming you've used more at the higher rate than you actually have."

A fan replied to ask: "We get asked this one a lot can you submit a lower meter reading ahead of a price drop, so more of your usage is charged at the lower rate?" But Money Saving Expert Mr Lewis warned: The short answer is no, you shouldn't do this it's fraud."

Most companies tell customers they should use a smart meter to ensure the reading they provide is accurate. There are also some other tips customers can use to ensure they pay less in the coming year, such as using LED bulbs or using more eco-friendly appliances.