After July 4, Martin Lewis issues permanent ‘energy survey charge’ charge warning that could hit bills

Every household in the UK currently lives with high daily charges included on their energy bills, regardless of whether they boil a kettle. This can add hundreds to your quarterly bills, effectively penalizing those who try to limit their energy use to keep bills down.

Money maven Martin Lewis has labeled these permanent charges the “energy poll tax”, which has been in place since fuel prices spiked significantly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The financial expert clarified that this is because the bills households were calculated based on the energy price cap rather than actual usage.

After Labor launched its party manifesto, Martin Lewis took to X to clarify what each of the primary parties plan to do to tackle this energy poll tax. He noted: “I’m pleased now both Labor and the Tories have said the level of permanent charges is too high.”

READ MORE: Thousands of UK parents get £150 free summer holiday pay

As founder of Money Saving Expert, Lewis has been extensively involved in discussions with both the government and the opposition on a variety of issues, from issues with Carer’s Allowance to strategies to deal with the cost of living crisis. It seems likely that Mr. Lewis’s views influenced the commitments of both major parties to the nation.

Martin Lewis said: “I’ve had very important contact from both of them to say they’ve seen the campaign we’ve done and will focus on it if elected. For example, today’s Labor manifesto says: “Too much burden”. of the bill is on permanent charges and we will work with the regulatory authority to reduce them'”.

“Let’s hope whoever wins delivers.”

No details were given on how the bills would be reduced, although however it was done it would require work from both politicians and regulators to change the cost of energy, which has driven much of the rise prices of the cost of living crisis. However, after the general election on July 4, that could all change.

Martin Lewis added: “I also stressed to both that this needs to be a joint regulator/government move – as the 1.2 million vulnerable households using (as Citizens Advice notes) need protection if the burden shifts to the unit rate. . And that is outside the power of the regulator.”

One follower, worried that energy companies will find another way to charge customers, asked: “What’s stopping energy suppliers from switching it on usage? Will the prices then stay the same or will they definitely be worse?”.

Martin pointed out: “It’s going to be used. That has always been the case. However, it is currently an energy survey charge”.