Oxford News
Energy bills fall but UK households hit with £143 rise
While the new price cap from Ofgem will cut average gas and electricity costs, a wave of increases in other essential bills means most families will still end up paying more overall.
New analysis shows a typical household will be £143 worse off from April – despite the drop in energy prices.
Bills rising faster than savings
The problem isn’t just energy, says the data from Nous.co – it’s everything else too.
- Council tax is rising by around £114 a year for a typical Band D home
- Water bills are increasing by about £33 annually
- Broadband and mobile contracts are also going up
Together, these increases more than wipe out any savings from lower gas and electricity bills.
“For most households, the relief from cheaper energy will be cancelled out elsewhere,” said Greg Marsh, CEO of Nous.co.
A postcode lottery across the UK
Where you live could make a huge difference to how hard you’re hit.
Households in Wandsworth will see one of the smallest increases – around £30 a year – thanks to lower council tax.
But in Shropshire, rising council tax and water charges mean bills could jump by as much as £211 annually.
Warning: energy bills could rise again
Global instability, particularly tensions involving Iran, is already pushing wholesale energy prices higher – raising fears that bills could surge again later this year.
Forecasts suggest the price cap could rise sharply in July, potentially adding hundreds of pounds back onto annual bills.
Even after April’s drop, households are still paying more than £500 a year extra compared to before the 2021 energy crisis.
Urgent warning: submit meter readings now
Consumers are being urged to act before the April price change kicks in.
The charity Advice Direct Scotland is calling on households to submit meter readings before March 31 to avoid being overcharged.
Without an accurate reading, suppliers may estimate usage – meaning some customers could end up paying higher, outdated rates.
Gareth Kloet, energy expert at Go.Compare, adds: “Taking a meter reading on 31 March is one of the simplest ways to make sure you don’t overpay for your energy bills and ensures that you’re charged at the new, lower rate as soon as it kicks in.”
Recommended reading:
What you can do now
- Submit a meter reading before April 1
- Check if your tariff is still competitive
- Review broadband and mobile contracts
- Seek advice if you’re struggling
Experts warn this isn’t a short-term problem.
“This isn’t a one-off hit,” Marsh said. “Households are facing a prolonged squeeze.”
He added that many people could be overpaying by hundreds of pounds simply because keeping track of rising bills is too complex and time-consuming.
Oxford News
Didcot students watch ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches
14 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot, Oxfordshire, travelled to Southampton’s Utilita Bowl to watch two ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches.
They saw New Zealand take on Sri Lanka and England face Ireland.
Rob Hayden, head of PE at Aureus School, said: “The first match was really close, with Sri Lanka hitting a four to win the match in the final over.
“There was a rain delay which delayed the England match by one hour and 30 minutes, but this allowed the group to watch the cricket match under the floodlights, which was a really good experience.
“Having England play well and win, created a special atmosphere at the ground.”
The trip is part of a yearly tradition at Aureus School, which has strong ties to the women’s game through a visiting coach, Queentor Abel of the Kenya Women’s Team.
Mr Hayden said: “We have currently got a coach who comes into school who is a current cricket player for the Kenya Women’s Team, Queentor Abel.
“This showed the students they have a great coach to help them improve.
“We took the group as a trip to inspire the students to play cricket outside of school.”
Aureus School is part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust.
Oxford News
ITV axes series with I’m a Celeb’s GK Barry and Rev Coles
GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles appeared on the 24th series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here in 2024.
GK and Rev Coles “struck up the best of friendships” while on the ITV reality show, one they have continued outside the jungle.
ITV axes GK Barry and Rev Richard Coles series
The pair had begun work on a new ITV series themed around life and death.
Speaking to Attitude Magazine, GK said: “We are exploring walks of life from two different generations — one from a gay godly man and a gay ungodly woman.
“There are some depressing bits in there, but one thing about me is that I will make a joke about it.”
A pilot episode for the series was filmed last year.
However, the new series has now been axed by ITV, according to The Sun.
An insider said: “There were high hopes for the project because producers were excited by the dynamic between GK and Richard, not least because it seemed to amuse viewers.
“They enjoyed the idea of the wise older man interacting with the streetwise millennial as they explored some pretty deep subjects.
“But after provisional filming took place, it was decided not to proceed with it as a series — much to the disappointment of everyone involved.”
GK had previously said it had been a “dream” working with Rev Coles on the series.
On Instagram, she said: “Working with you has opened my eyes to worlds I’d never heard of or dreamt of before.
“Some of them have been nightmares, but some of them have been dreams — and today has been a dream.”
ITV has been contacted for comment.
Freeview channel axed 2 years after relaunch
Meanwhile, News UK’s live streaming opinion channel, Talk, has been axed as part of the latest Freeview update.
Talk originally broadcast as TalkTV on channel 237 from April 2022, with 24-hour news and opinion programming.
Its most high-profile programme was Piers Morgan Uncensored, which later moved to YouTube, though Channel 5 continues to broadcast highlight segments.
TalkTV was eventually relaunched as Talk, a visual radio stream, on Freeview channel 280 in April 2024.
The change came after the channel struggled to attract viewers and ran up losses for News UK, according to RXTV.
News UK still operates similar visual streams for TalkSport and Times Radio.
Were you looking forward to GK Barry and Rev Richard Coles’ new ITV series? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
Oxford News
Katy Perry forced to cancel gig ahead of Blenheim Festival
The 41-year-old pop icon was due to perform at Werchter Boutique festival in Belgium last night, Saturday, June 28, when the event was unexpectedly cut short.
The festival’s committee decided to end the day’s performances early, at 9pm just after a set from Pitbull, due to a weather forecast of ‘severe thunderstorms from midnight onwards at the earliest’ and a government warning.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson’s pub staff ‘walk out after many problems’
Perry wrote on Instagram: “Sadly my set at Werchter Boutique tonight can’t happen due to a government mandated cancellation because of the incoming inclement weather and crowd safety concerns.
“I was backstage at the show in the middle of hair and makeup when this news was delivered, and they gave me no choice.
“I am just as unhappy as you are. Unfortunately this is beyond my control, but the safety of all 55,000 of you always comes first and foremost.”
The performance was due to mark the popstar’s return to the one-day event held in Belgium’s Festivalpark for the first time in more than 15 years.
READ MORE: Sara Cox in new venture as UK charity collapses with £430k owed
Perry added: “I am sorry I can’t change the weather, and even sorrier that all of us can’t be together tonight. I was looking forward to being back after 17 years, I was even gonna wear the same outfit from that 2009 show again. I love you all, and please get home safe.”
It comes just a week before the star’s next scheduled festival appearance, at the brand-new Blenheim Festival in Wodostock, Oxfordshire, where she is due to perform on July 4.
The current forecast for that date is sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-20s.
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