Brightlingsea Business Network - BBN

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Brightlingsea Business Network - BBN Business networking group for general networking and introductions to promote your own business and take away any information & skills from others.

26/08/2026

So the Price Cap has just been announced from 1st October through to the end of December. As expected, £5 pm on the average bill offset by removing VAT. But still an unwelcome increase.
If you are not in contract and so protected until the end of your fixed term, then you will see these changes.
1. If you do not have a smart meter, put in meter readings on 31st August.
2. Check your bill - have you cleared last winter's heating costs?
3. Talk to your supplier - are you on the best tariff for your household? Prepayment meters might be cheaper.
4. Do you have an electric car?
5. Do you get offered time of use benefits that enable you to have cheaper energy at certain times of day?
6. INSULATE - draughts affect your house and it is not the time to have cool breezes flowing through.
7. Look at MoneyHelper.org.uk for advice and grants for improvements
8. Energy Saving Trust offers lots of tips
9. Have you got a monthly budget so you know what goes out each month.
10. Are there any subscriptions you can cancel?

11/06/2026

What is available?
• Grants to help pay off energy debt from energy company or charitable trust
• Grants for energy-saving home improvements (Citizen’s Advice)
• Local energy grants
• You might be able to find grants or schemes run by your local council. You can try searching on your local council’s website for energy grants. Find your local council's website on GOV.UK
The following energy suppliers offer grants to their customers:
• British Gas Energy Support Fund - apply for a grant on the British Gas Energy Trust website
• Scottish Power Hardship Fund - apply for a grant on the Scottish Power Hardship Fund website
• Ovo Customer Support Package - apply for help on the Ovo Energy Fund website
• E.ON Next Energy Fund - apply for a grant on the E.ON Next Energy Fund website
• EDF Energy Customer Support Fund - sign up to the priority services register to apply for a grant on the EDF Energy website
• Octopus ‘Octo Assist Fund’ - apply for a grant on the Octopus website

• Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme
• Home Upgrade Grant scheme - if you don’t use mains gas to heat your home
• Boiler Upgrade Scheme
• ConnectedforWarmth.org.uk insulation scheme

Fuel Voucher
You'll get the voucher as a code in a letter, text message or email. You can use it to add credit to your gas card or electricity key. If you don't have one of these, contact your supplier to get one. Your local council might be able to help you get a fuel voucher - Check your fuel voucher to see when it expires. You might have to use it within 15 days at a Post Office or Paypoint shop or if you have a smart prepayment meter you can also add the fuel voucher credit to your account online. To do this, follow the instructions on your voucher

To apply for the Fuel Direct Scheme, you need to contact your energy supplier, who will check your eligibility based on your benefits and energy debt. If approved, a fixed amount will be deducted from your benefits to pay off your energy debt and ongoing usage.

Pamela Hatswell
The Shrink
Helping people to shrink their bills at home or work

15/12/2025

Thanks to Dukes Bistro (Clacton) for following this page.

Address

Colchester
CO7

Telephone

01206304022

Website

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