Menu
News
Energy Updates
Menu
Energy price cap to rise by 4% from October
Ofgem has announced that the energy price cap will rise by 4% from 1 October 2026. For a typical household using gas and electricity and paying by Direct Debit, this represents a total increase of around £5 a...
Read moreOfgem Price Cap announced for July – Sept 26
At the end of May Energy regulator Ofgem announced a 13% increase of the energy price cap for the period covering 1 July to 30 September 2026. The price cap refers to the default tariff applied when a...
Read moreThe Green Table Northumberland brings organisations together in Berwick
Community Action Northumberland hosted the third Green Table Northumberland event in Berwick-upon-Tweed last week, bringing together organisations, community groups and sustainability advocates from across the county to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, explore potential funding opportunities and implement practical action on climate...
Read moreJoin Our Team
We are currently recruiting for a Trainee Community Energy Adviser. Are you looking to take the first steps in a career in the voluntary sector (or know someone who is)? We have a unique opportunity for a passionate individual...
Read moreResponding to the Energy Crisis: Support and Action for Northumberland Households
The recent surge in domestic heating oil and LPG prices has left many households in Northumberland struggling to heat their homes. At Community Action Northumberland (CAN), we know how deeply this crisis is affecting off‑grid households in rural areas, and we...
Read morePowering People Project – Speak Up, Shape the Future!
Over 400 households in Northumberland live without mains electricity, struggling with high costs and unreliable power. The Powering People Project is mapping off-grid homes across Northumberland to campaign for fair access, affordable connections and support for clean energy solutions. Get...
Read moreEnergy Bills Set to Fall – But Many Households Still Face High Costs
Ofgem has confirmed a 7% drop in the energy price cap from 1 April 2026, offering welcome relief after years of soaring bills. But the savings aren’t evenly felt. Even after the cut, the average household will still...
Read moreCAN Energy Advice and Renewables Online Roadshow
Power Up Your Home: CAN Energy Online Roadshow Looking to make your home more energy efficient or explore renewable solutions? Join CAN Energy for a FREE, one-hour online session packed with expert tips on insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps....
Read moreAir-to-air heat pumps now part of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has been expanded to include air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, giving families more choice in how they upgrade their home. BUS currently offers grants of £7,500 off the cost of installing an...
Read moreWelcome to our latest team member!
A warm welcome to Julie Burgess-Mcilwaine, who joins CANs energy team as the Energy Advice and Engagement Officer for the new North East Warm Homes project. North East Warm Homes is a free, down‑to‑earth energy advice service, here to...
Read moreLatest Price Cap started on January 1st
The latest Ofgem price cap started on 1st January. This price cap change means energy bills will rise by £3 for a typical household. For an average household paying by direct debit for gas and electricity, the overall...
Read moreThe latest Price Cap news
The quarterly energy price cap will rise by 0.2% from 1 January 2026. This will be a rise of around 28p per month for the average household. This is a cap on electricity unit price, not a cap...
Read moreCommunity Action Northumberland statement
Community Action Northumberland (CAN) is deeply concerned by the findings of the National Audit Office’s report on government insulation schemes. The report highlights serious failings that have left thousands of households facing damp, mould and health risks —...
Read moreEnergy Price Cap Update: October – December 2025
What’s changing? From 1 October to 31 December 2025, the energy price cap is going up by around 2%. For a typical household (using both gas and electricity and paying by Direct Debit), bills will rise by about...
Read moreCosy CAN winter 2025/26
Read the latest Cosy CAN newsletter featuring articles on: Solar PV A simple guide to switching energy supplier The new Powering People off grid community support project Latest news on the Warm Homes Discount and Winter Fuel Payment...
Read moreNorthern Powergrid Foundation – New Funding Round for Community Energy Resilience Projects
The Northern Powergrid Foundation has launched its latest round of grant funding, supporting projects that strengthen energy resilience in communities across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. Grants of up to £20,000 are available to help address...
Read morePowering People
The Powering People project is live! At CAN our energy team has been joined by Dave Richardson and John Bogue to support the hundreds of Northumberland households who are not connected to the gas or electricity network. Through...
Read moreWarm Home Discount notice
By Sunday 24th August (this weekend) eligible households must ensure the eligible resident has their name on the electricity account to automatically receive the £150 Warm Home Discount. The correct bill payer may not be named if you’ve recently moved, changed supplier or...
Read moreOgfems next price energy cap will come into effect on Tuesday 1st July
Ofgem have set the next round of price caps starting on July 1st with electricity to be 25.73 p/kWh and gas set at 6.33 p/kWh. These new prices mean the annual bill for a typical household on a standard tariff and paying by...
Read morePensioners to receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter
This month, the government announced that a Winter Fuel Payment will be available for winter 2025–26 to individuals in England and Wales who are over State Pension age and have an income of £35,000 or less. The payment will be £200...
Read moreCommunity Energy Roadshows Launch in Style
Last week CAN and Northumberland Community Energy Ltd (NCEL) hosted the first of our Community Energy Roadshows at the beautiful Newton and Bywell Community Hall. We were joined by 20 representatives from community halls across the area for...
Read moreRadio Teleswitch Service meter switch off – Monday 30th June
Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters are a type of meter generally used for customers with electric heating and hot water. It is a meter that uses radio signals to switch between different electricity rates or turn certain appliances...
Read moreCommunity Energy Roadshow – free event on 6th May
The latest CAN Energy Roadshow is being help on Tuesday 6th May, at Newton & Bywell Community Hall. Join us for a cuppa and cake while discovering how CAN and NCEL are helping communities reduce energy use and...
Read moreEnergy Price Cap changes for the next quarter
Ofgem announced the next round of price cap changes and they will come into effect from the 1st April. The cost of electricity and gas for a typical household paying by direct debit will go up by...
Read moreSlides from our Energy and Renewables Advice Online Roadshow
CAN Energy staff held a one-hour online session offering independent expert advice on energy efficiency at home and renewable energy solutions. During this session, we shared insights on improving your home’s heating efficiency and learn about renewable technologies...
Read moreAction taken to protect households with poor-quality insulation
The government has taken action after checks found widespread cases of poor-quality solid wall insulation installed under inherited ECO4 and GBIS. Thirty-nine businesses have been suspended from installing new insulation in people’s homes, after ministers were alerted to...
Read moreCAN Energy Advice and Renewables Online Roadshow
Join Us for a Free, Informative Online Briefing on Energy Advice and Renewables!Date: 21st January 2025Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PMLocation: Online via eventbrite (see link below) CAN Energy staff invite you to an exclusive one-hour online session...
Read moreClimate Action in Rural North East programme is launched
Rural communities across Northumberland and Durham are set to benefit from a pioneering new initiative to reduce energy costs and combat climate change. The Climate Action in Rural North East (CAIRN) project, launched at CAN’s 2024 AGM on...
Read moreToday is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
We’re supporting Fuel Poverty Awareness Day – a campaign by @NationalEnergyAction (NEA) to highlight households living in fuel poverty. The situation has worsened over the past three years as the energy crisis carries on, with energy prices still...
Read moreFREE ENERGY IMPROVEMENT ADVICE FOR NORTH EAST HOUSEHOLDS TO HELP CUT ENERGY BILLS
People across the North East can benefit from a free service offering advice on reducing energy bills. Home Energy Advice North East provides free, expert guidance to help residents identify energy-saving improvements for their homes, apply for grants...
Read moreCosy CAN Autumn 2024 has arrived!
The latest edition of our Cosy CAN newsletter is now available, including information about Pension credit How to understand your energy bills A beginner’s guide to EV tariffs and The Home Energy Advice North East project that can...
Read moreLatest Price Cap starts today and it has gone up
On 23rd August Ofgem announced the Price Cap for the next quarter – 1st October to 31st December – and it will rise by 10% compared to the last quarter. This means electricity is now capped at 24.50...
Read morePension credit and the Winter Fuel Payment – Don’t miss out
Christine Nicholls from CAN has been in the news recently following the withdrawal of winter fuel payments for older people talking about the knock-on effects this may have. Christine has been pointing out that those who continue to be...
Read morePrice drop day and meter reading week
Today the latest Ofgem price cap comes into effect, seeing this quarters energy unit price reduce by 7%; with gas dropping to 5.48p per kilowatt hour (kWh) and 22.36p per kWh for electricity. This means a saving of...
Read moreLatest Ofgem energy price cap for Jul – Sept 24
Between 1 July to 30 September 2024 the energy price cap is set to be 5.48p per kilowatt hour (kWh) for gas, and 22.36p per kWh for electricity. This means a typical dual fuel household would see an...
Read moreCAN has expanded its Energy Advice Services
CAN has been delivering advice and support to rural and off-gas grid households for some time but this new collaboration enables that support to be delivered throughout the county to on and off gas properties. Our adviser can...
Read moreChanges to standing charges
From 1 April 2024 prepayment customers and Direct Debit customers covered by the price cap will pay the same standing charge, known as ‘levelisation’. This policy replaces current support through the Energy Price Guarantee which expired at the...
Read morePrepayment meter top up for new unit prices
Don’t forget to top up your prepayment meter following the Ofgem price cap change from 1st April. Any alterations to your unit price will not be active on your prepayment meter until you top up your payment card...
Read moreDo you use Solid Fuel or Biomass?
Do you use solid fuels or biomass to heat your property? For some residents this is the only option for fuel, especially households off the gas grid; and for others stoves are used as a secondary source of...
Read moreEARN on BBC Newcastle
CANs very own Christine Nicholls and Andrew Beresford have been talking to BBC Newcastle, highlighting our work across the county campaigning for off grid properties and providing help and advice on energy use at home. Join Andrew on...
Read moreOfgem announcements – the latest price cap and levelising standing charges
On 23 February, Ofgem announced the latest price cap that will come into effect in April and it is going down! The price cap will fall by 12.3% on the previous quarter from 1 April to 30 June...
Read moreOfgem announcement on supplier switch over compensation
When switching energy companies the energy suppliers, as part of their Supplier’s Licence Conditions, have to switch a customer’s electricity or gas supply within 5 working days. The current Guaranteed Standards of Performance, requires suppliers to pay a...
Read moreMonthly comparison of energy costs
The table below lays out the monthly comparison of energy costs for the UK in pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) for a verity of energy types. The table shows a rise in the capped price of gas and...
Read moreCosy CAN Newsletter Winter 2024 out now!
The latest Cosy CAN Winter newsletter is now available. Containing lots of useful information, including: Taking a meter reading – why and how Should I switch to a fixed energy tariff? Understanding the Energy Price Cap Energy monitors...
Read moreOfgem film reflects impact of CAN’s energy work
Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, and the Energy Saving Trust paid a visit to Northumberland back in the summer. They were keen to come and see how funds from the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress scheme were...
Read moreCAN Renewables and Energy Roadshow Success!
CAN energy staff hosted a one hour online briefing session giving advice on energy at home and renewables on 28th November 2023. If you missed us, we recorded the two presentations and you will find the Zoom recording...
Read moreThe latest Ofgem Price Cap announcement, November 23
The 23rd November saw the latest energy prince cap quarterly review from Ofgem. From 1 January 2024 the price for energy a typical household who use gas and electricity and pay by Direct Debit will go from £1,834...
Read moreBan on installing oil and LPG boilers shifted back to 2035
In his recent net zero speech, a key policy change announced by the Prime Minister was that the government will: “Delay the ban on installing oil and LPG boilers, and new coal heating, for off-gas-grid homes to 2035,...
Read moreOfgem’s announcement – new prepayment meter Code of Practice
Following today’s announcement from Ofgem, the conditions of the code will be legally enforceable and apply to energy firms and any contractors. It states that before PPM can be involuntarily installed suppliers must: Make at least 10 attempts...
Read moreLatest Ofgem Price Cap announced for Autumn 23
The latest quarterly review of the Ofgem Energy Price Cap was announced on Friday 25th August. Ofgem has now set the October to December 23 price for energy for a typical household, paying by direct debit, to £1,923...
Read moreChimney Fire Safety Week – Monday 4th to Sunday 10th September
It is Chimney Fire Safety Week, the annual campaign to raise awareness of chimney fires and the importance of keeping chimneys swept and appliances maintained. Having a chimney swept not only reduces the fire risk, but also enables...
Read moreOfgem set the summer bills
The next change to the Ofgem Price Cap will come into effect on 1st July and will be in place until the September review. This time average bills will drop slightly to £2,074 for a typical consumption dual...
Read moreNorthumberland County Council received £12.4m Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2)
The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) provides energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating via local authority funding, to households in England that: are low income are off the gas grid have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D...
Read moreAlternative Fuel Payment
HOUSEHOLDS have just weeks left to claim £200 to go towards energy bills. The support comes from the Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme. This means if you don’t use mains gas and instead use alternative sources such as domestic heating...
Read moreEnergy vouchers for prepayment meter customers
Don’t forget to claim your Energy Bill Support Scheme vouchers! Through the Energy Bill Support Scheme households on traditional prepayment meters should have received vouchers worth up to £400 towards their energy costs over the 2022/23 winter. Direct...
Read moreTraditional House Coal Ban
As of 1st May 2023 retailers are no longer allowed to sell traditional house coal in England for use in domestic properties, with the aim to cut harmful pollution to human health. This is a move by the...
Read moreGovernment announces the latest Cost-of-living payment details
The latest Cost-of-living payment is due between 25 April and 17 May 23. Those receiving means-tested benefits (including people on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits) will eventually receive £900 in the next set of cost-of-living payments...
Read moreSupport for non-domestic alternative fuel users
The Non-Domestic Alternative Fuels Payments Scheme provides a fixed payment of £150 to UK non-domestic consumers who are off the gas grid and use alternative fuels. Most consumers that are eligible for this payment will have already received...
Read moreOfgem announces latest quarterly price cap update
Information from Ofgem press release: Energy regulator Ofgem has today (Monday 27 February 2023) announced its quarterly update to the energy price cap for the period 1 April – 30 June 2023. From 1 April the energy price...
Read more£200 Alternative Fuel Payment update
The £200 Alternative Fuel Payment has now been paid to those households who have domestic oil, LPG, and biomass. This appears as a credit on the electricity bill and households can withdraw the credit into their bank accounts....
Read moreApply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically
The Government website for people to apply for energy bill support who do not automatically receive the £400 payment through their electricity supplier is soon to go live for applications. In Northumberland we have been told this will...
Read moreWinter Fuel Payment and Additional Pensioners Cost of Living Payment
If you were born on or before 25 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. This year this also includes a ‘Pensioner...
Read moreEnergy Price Guarantee announced for 2 years
Prime Minister Liz Truss has announced an energy price guarantee of £2,500 per year for a household on electricity and/or gas. This cap will last for two years and is based on an average bill. New rates from...
Read morePrice Cap Update
On 26 August 2022 Ofgem announced the energy price cap will increase to £3,549 per year for dual fuel for an average household from 1 October 2022. This is an increase of 80% since the last update. The...
Read moreChanges to Warm Homes Discount
Warm Home Discount is a one-off payment to reduce eligible customers’ bills over the winter months. This winter (2022-23), it’s rising from £140 to £150. If you are eligible the money will be added as a credit to...
Read more£400 energy bills discount to support households this winter
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) announced that millions of households across Great Britain will receive non-repayable discounts on their energy bills this winter, as the UK government today (Friday 29 July) sets out further...
Read moreSign-up to our newsletter
Sign-up to our newsletter
Community Action Northumberland is a company limited by guarantee (reg no. 07805401), and a Charity (reg no. 1144604)