During Friday morning’s broadcast (November 22), hosted by Kate Garraway and Paul Brand, Charlotte Hawkins shared critical updates about the rise in energy costs.
Ofgem has ruled that the price cap for gas and electricity is rising. Starting in January, households across England, Scotland, and Wales will see the typical annual energy bill escalate to £1,738, marking a year-on-year increase of £21 or an additional £1.75 per month.
This latest bump adds yet another layer of strain on financially stretched households.
Charlotte announced the breaking news on the programme: “Breaking news in the last few minutes. Ofgem has revealed the typical fuel energy bill from January will be £1,738 a year. That is an increase of £21 from the current level,” as captured by the Express.
The NEA, a charity focused on National Energy Action, warns that this increase is set to push already vulnerable families further into arrears, struggling to cover their heating costs.
Acknowledging the situation, Tim Jarvis, Ofgem director General of Markets, stated: “While today’s change means the cap has remained relatively stable, we understand that the cost of energy remains a challenge for too many households.”
Jarvis did provide a ray of optimism, highlighting options for consumers to reduce their bills: “However, with more tariffs coming into the market, there are ways for customers to bring their bill down, so please shop around and look at all the options.”
He warned: “Our reliance on volatile international markets – which are affected by factors such as events in Russia and the Middle East means the cost of energy will continue to fluctuate.
“So it’s more important than ever to stay focused on building a renewable, home-grown energy system to bring costs down and give households stability.”
He further recommended: “In the short term though, anyone struggling with bills should speak to their supplier to make sure they’re getting the help they need and look around to make sure they’re on the best, most affordable deal for them.”
Elsewhere in the programme, fans were thrilled to see the return of Paul, who has not fronted GMB since 2022.
The ITV star took to social media on Thursday to announce to his followers that he’d be hosting Good Morning Britain at the end of the week, sharing a throwback image of him and Kate.
“Hope @kategarraway is feeling especially patient,” he jokingly captioned the picture.
One person replied: “You’re brilliant at whatever you do, really looking forward to. Good luck.”
Someone else wrote: ” Loving Paul Brand in the studio today.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.