Gas, electricity and oil bills
Gas, electricity and oil bills
Price guarantee and discounts from energy providers
Information about energy prices and discounts.
Energy Price Guarantee
Households without a pre-payment meter in Great Britain
From 1 July 2023, households without a pre-payment meter no longer receive an Energy Price Guarantee discount on their gas and electricity bills.
This is because the Ofgem price cap is lower than the Energy Price Guarantee level, meaning households will pay rates capped by the price cap.
For the period of July to September 2023, the Ofgem price cap has been set at £2,074 for a typical household per year. For the period of October to December 2023, the costs of mains gas and electricity will fall further, with the Ofgem price cap set at £1,923 for a typical household per year.
The Energy Price Guarantee will remain in place as a safety net until the end of March 2024 should energy prices increase above £3,000 per year. Find out more information
Cost of living payments and support with energy
Information about support available relating to the cost of living.
Winter Fuel Payment
In the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.
This winter, they will also receive an extra one-off Pensioner Cost of Living Payment of between £150 and £300. This will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment. Check if you’re eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) Alternative Funds
The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS Alternative Funding) is a £400 payment for households either without a domestic electricity meter, or, people without a direct relationship with an energy supplier (e.g. care home residents and park homes). Click here to check if you’re eligible
Cold Weather Payments
If you are getting certain benefits, £25 extra a week is available during the winter when the temperature is zero or below for more than seven days. Check if you’re eligible for Cold Weather Payments
Get in touch
You can contact the Northumberland Community Together response hub if you are unsure about any information and want to talk to a friendly person. Phone the community response hub on 01670 620015 from 9am to 6pm 7 days a week or email NCT@northumberland.gov.uk.
Grants, funding and shared costs to help with heat
Information on grants and funding.
0% VAT on energy saving materials
It will be cheaper for you to install energy saving materials such as thermal insulation or solar panels with 0% VAT for the next five years, helping to improve energy efficiency in your home and keep heating bills down.
Help to Heat
You may be eligible for grants to improve the energy efficiency of your home, which could help to reduce your energy bills. If you’re a homeowner you could be eligible for free energy efficiency installation such as: solar panels, airsource heat pumps and wall and loft insulation. You can learn more about renewable energy at:
Click here to find energy grants for your home (Help to Heat)
Rural support for residents using oil, coal and LPG
Community Action Northumberland operates a bulk buying scheme (OilCAN) for residents purchasing oil, coal and LPG. Residents can join the scheme for £12 per year to access fuel at lower prices.
Energy advice booklet
Here is a handy leaflet from Citizen’s Advice.
Click here to read the Citizens advice Energy Advice Booklet.
Northern Powergrid Priority Services Membership
Northern Powergrid are offering Priority Services Membership for customers in need of extra support. If you are a resident who relies on electricity for the following you will be able to register:
- Medical reasons, including equipment
- Have a chronic or serious illness
- Have a mental health condition
- If your mobility is limited
- If you’re elderly
- Or have children aged 5 or below
Here is a informative leaflet from Northern Powergrid on Priority Services Membership 
Click here to read the Northern Powergrid Priority Services Membership leaflet
For Northern Powergrid customers in need of extra support Priority Services Membership provides personal dedicated care, click here to register for the Northern Powergrid service. Learn more about the Priority Services Membership provided by Northern Powergrid by calling them on 0800 169 2996.
If English isn’t your first language, please call Northern Powergrid Priority Services line on 0800 169 2996 and we can arrange an interpreter.
For Northern Powergrid customers who find it difficult to speak or hear. Click here for British Sign Language interpreter Text phone: 0800 028 9507 Text relay: dial 18001 followed by 0800 169 2996.
For Northern Powergrid customers who are visually impaired. For audio assistance, Recite is available on their website. Click here to visit their website and then by clicking on the red ‘Accessibility’ button at the top of the home page. If you require alternative formats, such as Braille or large print, please call the Priority Services Membership Team on 0800 169 2996 .
You can write and send a letter to:
Priority Services Membership Northern Powergrid,
Manor House,
Station Road,
Penshaw,
Houghton-le-Spring
DH4 7LA
Talk to us about your energy
If you would like to speak to somebody friendly about electricity and gas bills. Request a call back from Citizen’s Advice via Frontline app by clicking here. Or Phone the Northumberland Communities Together response hub on 01670 620015 from 9am to 6pm 7 days a week or email NCT@northumberland.gov.uk.