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  "path": "/money/octopus-energy-british-gas-edf-meter-reading-martin-lewis",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-01T18:07:49.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Martin Lewis issues urgent warning to drivers amid £7.5bn car finance payouts",
    "Martin Lewis reveals clever trick to slash medication costs: 'It’s absolutely the same stuff!'",
    "Martin Lewis issues council tax alert to 400k families who may be overpaying and are due thousands",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nBritish households are seeing lower energy bills from today as Ofgem's new price cap comes into force, reducing typical annual costs by £117.\n\nThe change represents a 6.6 per cent decrease, bringing the average dual fuel bill down from £1,758 to £1,641 for households with typical usage.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt marks the lowest level for energy prices since September 2024.\n\nUnder the new cap, electricity costs 24.67p per unit on average, down from 27.69p, while gas has fallen from 5.93p to 5.74p per unit.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nPart of the reduction follows a decision by Labour to move green subsidies from energy bills to general taxation.\n\nConsumers are being urged to submit meter readings to ensure they are billed accurately under the new lower rates.\n\nGareth Kloet, energy expert at GoCompare, said: \"Firstly, if you didn't take a meter reading on March 31 and submit it to your energy supplier, stop what you're doing and get this done right now.\"\n\nHe added: \"This meter reading will ensure you are charged at the new, lower rate for any energy you use from today onwards.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWithout an up-to-date reading, suppliers may estimate usage and apply a higher proportion of energy consumption to the previous, more expensive rates.\n\nMoney Saving Expert Martin Lewis explained that most households pay via monthly direct debit, where usage is averaged across the year.\n\nHe said: \"Most people pay by monthly direct debit, where your average use is taken over the year, and it's smoothed out so you don't have big cashflow issues in the winter.\n\n\"To counter that, you either have a working smart meter, or you take a meter reading.\"\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Martin Lewis issues urgent warning to drivers amid £7.5bn car finance payouts\n  * Martin Lewis reveals clever trick to slash medication costs: 'It’s absolutely the same stuff!'\n  * Martin Lewis issues council tax alert to 400k families who may be overpaying and are due thousands\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nEnergy firms now allow customers to submit readings online and, in some cases, backdate them by several days to ensure accurate billing.\n\nHouseholds can upload a photograph of their meter to their supplier to secure the full benefit of the £117 reduction.\n\nDespite the lower prices, there are warnings the savings may be temporary due to volatility in global energy markets.\n\nMr Kloet said: \"If this is sustained throughout the spring, we may be in for an increase in July when the next price cap is announced.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWholesale energy prices have been lower so far this year, contributing to the April reduction, though recent global events have introduced uncertainty.\n\nRising oil and petrol prices linked to instability in the Middle East have increased pressure on energy markets.\n\nMr Kloet called on the Government to provide clarity on potential support if prices rise again, warning uncertainty is affecting household financial planning.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Octopus Energy, British Gas and EDF customers urged to take meter reading TODAY for £117 saving"
}