Energy Credit and Bereavement Support

Energy companies are holding on to too much of their customers' money in the form of credit on their accounts. That's according to Angus MacNeil, Chair of the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero committee. Money Box has uncovered the total amount of credit being held in the first three months of this year was £8.1 billion. Those figures are from the regulator, Ofgem. Energy UK, which represents energy companies says suppliers are obligated to set direct debits that are, over a 12 month period, estimated to result in a balanced account. It also told us at the time this £8.1bn was being held as credit prices were extremely volatile and the level of government help was unknown. It also said it's not meaningful to compare credit and debt.

Charities say new figures obtained by Money Box show that less than 1 in 4 bereaved parents who were not married have claimed a support payment they became entitled to in February. That was when the government changed the law to give cohabiting parents equal rights with parents who were married or in a civil partnership. The Department for Work and Pensions say it's telling bereaved parents about the backdated benefit via stakeholders, charities and a targeted media and social media campaign. More information on who can claim is available at: www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/cohabiting

What you need to know about the self-assessment tax deadline on 5th October.

And, we'll also run through the changes to energy bills coming in on 1st October.

Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Luke Smithurst Editor: Jess Quayle

Energy Credit 00:00 Bereavement Support 08:43 Tax Deadline 14:49 Energy Bills 16:32

(First broadcast, 12pm Saturday 30th September, 2023)