MARTIN Lewis has revealed how you can stop your energy bills from rising next week and whether they will go up or down in 2025.
The consumer champion featured as a co-host on ITV‘s Good Morning Britain yesterday morning.
And the MoneySavingExpert.com website founder used his platform to reveal how households can save money on their energy bills from October 1 when the new price comes into effect.
The new price cap, which affects about 28million households, will see the average family’s bill rise to £1,717 from £1,568 a year – a £149 hike.
But, Martin said, you can beat the hike by locking in a fixed-rate energy deal which is lower than the price cap.
Responding to a viewer question on whether they should lock in a fixed tariff with Octopus Energy for 15 months, he replied that it could save them money.
He explained this is because wholesale energy costs, which is what energy firms are charged, are falling so there are fixed deals on the market cheaper than the price cap, which was decided in August.
“Energy is going up (in price), it’s not going down,” he said.
“It’s going up on the first of October. It’s likely to come down a tiny bit in January but still be a lot more than it is now.
He added: “Bizarrely, energy prices are going up if you’re on the price cap, but the cheapest rates available if you are going to switch (and fix) are coming down.”
The consumer champion went on to reveal some of the best fixed deals currently on the market will be up to 9.4% cheaper than the new price cap coming into effect on October 1.
The advice came as he revealed what is predicted to happen to energy prices from 2025 based on wholesale costs.
The consumer champion said while energy bills are expected to rise by around 10% from next week, they will fall by 2% in January then a further 1% in April, based on predictions from EDF.
Bear in mind though that these are just predictions for what will happen to energy prices and aren’t guaranteed.
Locking in a fixed-rate energy deal ahead of prices rising next week is one way to cut the cost of energy.
There is a host of help on offer to cover costs over the colder months, including the Winter Fuel Payment and Warm Home Discount.
Both schemes are means-tested though, which means you will have to be on certain benefits to qualify.
But, in total, they are worth up to £450 which could massively help.
If you are struggling to cover the cost of your energy bills or have fallen into arrears, you might be able to get a free grant.
British Gas, ScottishPower, EDF and Utilita all have schemes offering customers up to £2,000.
You also might be eligible for help with energy bills via the Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421million.
The new round will run from October until March next year, but many councils are yet to announce what type of help will be on offer.
However, in previous rounds, local authorities have given households in need energy vouchers, supermarket vouchers and free cash.
Contact your local council, which you can find using the Government’s online council locator tool, to find out what help is on offer.
It’s worth checking if your energy firm has any targeted support on offer based on your circumstances too.
For example, Octopus Energy is handing out 20,000 electric blankets to customers in need this winter.
OFGEM reviews the cap on unit rates for those on the default tariff every three months.
This means the energy price cap can move up or down at four different points in the year.
Price cap rates are updated on the following dates:
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
A WOMAN has revealed how she helped her husband impregnate her best friend – and says it was the best decision she has ever made.
Kimberley Allen had dreamed about becoming a mum ever since she was a little girl.
But after several devastating miscarriages, the 33-year-old gave up hope.
After meeting husband Jamie, 35, the pair accepted that they’d never become parents.
Until Becki, 33 – Kimberley’s best friend – gave them a lifeline; to have a baby that was half hers and half Jamie’s.
“For a moment, I thought I’d misheard her – but I hadn’t,” the canine fertility specialist, from Portsmouth, told What’s The Jam.
“Jamie and I sat in stunned silence for a few minutes before I questioned her.
“Becki said she wanted to be a surrogate for us, which cleared up things.
“I felt overwhelmed and full of her love for her.
“My child being biologically hers just made our bond even closer.
“I just remember feeling so happy that I had helped my husband impregnate my best friend – a sentence I never thought I’d say.”
Kimberley and Becki met in school, where they quickly became inseparable.
At aged 15, the canine fertility specialist was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects how the ovaries work, and was told that she would struggle to have children.
She said: “Being a mum was my biggest dream in life.
“I turned to Becki for comfort and we remained the best of friends, even when she went on to have three children of her own.
“I was so pleased for her, and I wasn’t envious at all, and so I stopped wondering when – or if – it would happen for me.”
But thanks to Becki’s selfless deed, they were able to get the ball rolling in February 2022.
With no surrogacy agency, the trio made the deposit themselves at home – with Jamie putting his sperm in a cup, and Kimberley injecting it into Becki using a liquid medicine syringe.
Surrogacy is the name given for a type of pregnancy where a woman carries and gives birth to another person’s baby.
The surrogate mother is then expected to give up the baby at birth, so it can be raised by the couple who originally wanted the baby.
Surrogacy is often an option for those unable to have children themselves, or for same sex couples.
According to surrogacy charity Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy (COTS), there are two different types of surrogacy.
How are surrogate babies conceived?
In traditional surrogacy procedures, the egg is artificially inseminated using a syringe.
Gestational surrogacy is carried out through IVF.
During this in vitro fertilisation process, the egg is removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.
The embryo is then planted in the surrogate’s womb to grow and develop.
This procedure must be carried out by specialist doctors and the biological mother is required to still have working ovaries.
On their third attempt, the couple’s dream was finally coming true.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it, I was completely speechless when Becki showed us the positive pregnancy test.
“All our friends and family were so supportive and each kick felt like a tiny miracle.
“While all eyes were on Becki and her bump, I didn’t feel jealous in the slightest.”
In October 2022, Becki gave birth to little Roxanne Nicola Allen, now two.
There are no words to describe how thankful I am to Becki
Kimberley Allen
And their happy family is now complete.
Kimberley added: “I fell head over heels in love with my baby girl.
“I couldn’t believe that we were finally parents – it still feels surreal.
“There are no words to describe how thankful I am to Becki.
“I had always considered her my sister, but now there really is a piece of her DNA in my family.
“Our daughter looks very much like me when I was young – no one would ever know or question it if I didn’t tell them.
“I thought my dream of being a mum had been taken away from me for good – but she made it finally come true.”
CHARLOTTE Dawson showed off her growing baby bump as she hit the red carpet without her fiance Matt Sarsfield on Thursday.
The Ex On The Beach star, 32, who is expecting her third child, turned heads as she attended The Podcast Awards at the Outernet in London.
Charlotte looked incredible as she donned a light blue maxi lace dress with a feathered trim around the hem and a thigh-high slit.
She styled her hair in a chic messy bun with loose strands framing her face and opted for a fresh dewy makeup look.
The expecting mum elevated her look with silver pointed heels that featured a cluster of sparkly diamantes at the toes.
She kept it simple with silver jewellery and lovingly cradled her growing bump as she posed for snaps on the carpet.
It comes after Charlotte shared the gender of her third child with fans on her podcast Naughty Corner, with her fiance Matt noticeably absent from the gender reveal video.
She flashed a huge smile as she cut into a cake, before telling listeners she would soon be welcoming her first baby girl.
The reality star later clapped back at any criticism from the clip and wrote in an Instagram message: “I did ask Matthew to be in the video in some sort of way as it’s his daughter but he didn’t want too.
“Before I get people jumping down my throat saying where is he, and it’s his child too.”
The Sun has previously told how Charlotte had allowed Matt to return to their home after their romance hiccup in a bid to move forward as a family.
The star had kicked ex-professional rugby league player Matt, 33, out of their home after learning he’d been messaging another woman behind her back.
But she hinted nothing was set in stone about their future as she revealed they were “taking each day as it comes” as well as having a clear focus on their “two beautiful boys”
Here's how Charlotte and Matt's relationship has played out
November 2016 – Charlotte and Matt meet shortly after she splits from a short-lived fling with Geordie Shore’s Gaz Beadle.
February 2017 – The couple split for the first time just before Valentine’s Day over Charlotte’s party lifestyle.
July 2017 – While filming Celebs Go Dating, Charlotte is told she is ‘sabotaging herself’ and she admits it’s because she was struggling to get over Matt.
September 2017 – Charlotte jets to Greece after splitting from CGD castmate Frankie Cocozza.
December 2017 – Charlotte and Matt reveal they are back together.
March 2018 – Charlotte admits to The Sun that she ‘couldn’t stay away’ from Matt, with the couple also moving in together.
October 2018 – The couple look loved up while on holiday together in Spain.
August 2020 – Charlotte reveals she is pregnant with her and Matt’s first baby together.
September 5, 2020 – Matt proposes to Charlotte next to the statue of her late father, Les Dawson.
January 26, 2021 – Charlotte gives birth to their first baby boy. She later announces his name is Noah, with the entire birth being filmed for reality show Celebrity Bumps.
February 2022 – Matt, Charlotte and Noah move into their brand new family home in Lancashire.
April 2022 – Charlotte reveals she’s tragically suffered a miscarriage.
February 2023 – Charlotte announces she’s pregnant with her second baby with Matt.
July 30, 2023 – Charlotte gives birth to her second baby boy, who she later reveals is called Jude.
October 2023 – Baby Jude is rushed to hospital after contracting RSV bronchitis, and has to remain in hospital for ‘a few days’
February 2024 –Baby Jude is readmitted into hospital after contracting bronchitis for a second time at seven months old.
August 3, 2024 – Charlotte left ‘devastated and humiliated’ after finding ‘dirty texts’ on Matt’s phone to another woman.
August 4, 2024: Charlotte throws Jude his first birthday party, with Matt notably not in attendance.
August 5, 2024: Charlotte breaks her silence, saying she is extremely hurt, upset and disappointed by the news. She says her children remain her top priority.
DISNEY’S streaming service with ads will usually cost you £7.99 each month.
A limited-time promotion lets shoppers get 3 months of the streaming service for just £1.99 per month – but this deal ends today (27th September).
Standard Disney+, £1.99p/m for 3 months
(usually £7.99p/m)
I’d like to say I watch as much TV as the next couch potato, but in reality, I suspect I watch more. A lot more.
And I’m not loyal to any particular platform since, I’ll be honest, not everything Netflix releases fills me with excitement.
Actually, I’d class myself as a streaming nomad: I move from service to service, depending on what’s just premiered, and I make sure I don’t have too many active subscriptions at the same time.
I even put alarms in my phone’s calendar to remind me to cancel subscriptions before I have to pay the next month’s fee.
Which is a bit lame, I’ll admit, but hey: my bank balance is all the better for it. Watching TV ain’t cheap, not these days.
Having just caught up on the last season of House Of The Dragon on Now, I’ve just cancelled that subscription.
And with perfect timing, here comes a top-class deal from Disney+, which I last cancelled after binge-watching the third season of culinary drama The Bear.
If you sign up to the Disney platform right now, you pick up the Standard With Ads package for £1.99 per month for 3 months.
The House Of Mouse rolls out these promos with semi-regularity – the last time we saw a Disney streaming deal was back in February.
That’s a total of £5.93 – you’re saving a total of £18. Not bad, right?
And if it need be said, that’s 3 months of cheap access not just to Disney’s back catalogue of classic movies, but the ever-expanding Marvel and Star Wars universes, and adult-focused platform Star.
Shows include classics like Grey’s Anatomy, along with newer releases like Only Murders In The Building, which has just had its fifth season confirmed with a star-studded cast.
There’s also a trip down memory lane with Nineties docuseries In Vogue: The 90s, which features interviews with Vogue’s former editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Okay, okay, I’ll admit: re-watching Iron Man 3 is higher up my priorities list (it’s so underrated) – but my point is there’s a surprising breadth of content on Disney+.
If you’re keen, just be sure you take advantage of this deal before it ends at midnight today (Friday 27 September).
Oh, and if you decide to jump ship before this promotion ends and you’re auto-enrolled on to the typical £7.99-per-month rate, here’s how to cancel Disney+.
Trust me, you’ll need this: they don’t make it easy.
Standard Disney+, £1.99p/m for 3 months
(usually £7.99p/m)
AMANDA Holden has revealed her concern for Eamonn Holmes after he shared a heartbreaking social media post.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge mentioned the TV veteran’s blight during her Heart breakfast programme.
Amanda, 53, and Ashley Roberts discussed Eamonn’s plea for fans to adopt his dog Bella.
In a social media post, the 64-year-old revealed due to his limited mobility and health issues he’s no longer able to care for his furry companion.
Eamonn said: “This is Bella and Bella’s come the whole way from Greece, and it wasn’t a very happy experience for her in Greece.
“But all of that could change thanks to you. Yes, she is actually looking for the perfect home somewhere that she can feel loved forever and live out the rest of her days in happiness being spoiled.
“She’s got the most beautiful personality, too. As you can see, she’s a very special girl. So if you can offer this little one a home, please get in touch with the canine angels.”
Covering the news on Heart radio, Ashley said: “Let’s talk about Eammon Holmes, so he’s asking fans for some help.
“He’s found this dog Bella, fell in love with little Bella. Bella’s come from Greece and had a bit of a tough time over in Greece and he’s like listen I unfortunately can’t walk or run. So he’s asking fans for help to help find Bella a new home.”
Responding, Amanda Holden simply replied: “I feel so bad for Eammon.”
Eamonn previously shared a pooch with estranged wife Ruth Langsford, but lost custody of the fur baby after they split.
Earlier this month Eamonn and his new girlfriend Katie Alexander jetted off to Barcelona for a lavish holiday.
The Sun recently revealed how the pair have now lined up more trips abroad after Eamonn shared his plans with his GB News stars.
Before the shock split announcement, Ruth and Eamonn seemed like one of the strongest couples on UK TV – even with their signature bickering style.
Here’s how their romance played out…
1997 – The couple first meet after being introduced by mutual friends, two years after Eamonn splits from his first wife, Gabrielle, with whom he has three children.
1997-2002 – To be respectful to Gabrielle, the couple kept their relationship out of the limelight. Ruth told Daily Mail: “I thought it spoke volumes about the sort of man he was, the sort of father he was and the integrity he had. It made me love him more, not less.”
2002 – Ruth and Eamonn welcome their son, Jack, to the family.
2005 – Eamonn finalises his divorce with Gabrielle.
2006 – The pair begin to host Friday episodes of This Morning together.
2010 – Eamonn proposes to Ruth while at the Cheltenham Races, after asking Ruth’s mother for her hand.
June 2010 – Eamonn and Ruth marry at Elvetham Hall, Hampshire.
2016 – Eamonn undergoes a double hip replacement in the first of many health battles.
June 2019 – On This Morning, Ruth and Eamonn say the secret to their happy marriage. Eamonn credits “compromise, consideration and lots of conjugal,” while Ruth said it was “laughter and an equal marriage”.
November 2020 – Ruth and Eamonn are replaced on their regular Friday slot by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary in a ‘show shake-up’.
December 2021 – After a year of being moved to the bank holiday presenting slot, both Eamonn and Ruth left This Morning.
January 2022 – Eamonn debuted on GB News, while Ruth stayed with ITV in her long-standing role on Loose Women.
September 2022 – Eamonn undergoes spinal surgery after years of back issues including a trapped sciatic nerve.
November 2022 – Eamonn falls down the stairs of his Surrey home with Ruth and breaks his shoulder, requiring a new operation.
September 2023 – Eamonn has a spine and neck stretching procedure as part of his year-long recovery.
May 2024 – Ruth and Eamonn announce they have split after 14 years of marriage and a 27-year relationship.
September 2024 – Eamonn was spotted on a luxury holiday in Barcelona with his new girlfriend Katie Alexander. Ruth calls in a ‘fierce’ divorce lawyer.
LANA Del Rey has officially tied the knot with Jeremy Dufrene following a month-long whirlwind romance.
But who is the alligator tour guide and when did they get married?
The Grammy-nominated artist, 39, was first rumored to be dating Jeremy, a Louisiana-born alligator hunter and tour guide, just a month ago.
Lana Del Rey and Jeremy Dufrene appear to have first met back in March 2019 when Lana took one of his airboat tours during a trip to Louisiana.
The singer, who was in town for the BUKU Music + Art Project festival in New Orleans, shared photos from the tour on her social media, even tagging Jeremy and promoting Arthur’s Air Boat Tours.
One post showed her sitting beside Jeremy as he helped her steer the airboat, while another showed him in the background as Lana posed with friends.
Though the pair clearly hit it off during the tour, they didn’t start dating then.
Lana moved on to date Sean Larkin, a “Live PD” star, but that romance fizzled out in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sparks between Lana and Jeremy seemed to reignite in May 2024 when she returned to Louisiana for the Hangout Fest.
Lana once again signed up for Jeremy’s swamp tour and documented the adventure on Instagram, even tagging Jeremy with the caption: “Family w my guy @jeremy.dufrene.”
Fans didn’t think much of the reunion at the time, but sightings of the couple in the UK were the first indication suggesting that their relationship had taken a romantic turn.
The couple made their relationship public by holding hands ahead of Lana’s concert at the Leeds Festival on August 25.
Soon after, they were seen shopping at Harrods in London and dining at a local pub, sparking rumors of a romance.
The happy couple attended British singer Karen Elson’s wedding together in early September 2024, not shying away from holding hands.
The loved up pair exchanged vows in Des Allemandes, Louisiana, on September 26 – where Jeremy Dufrene operates his popular swamp boat tours.
Stunning pictures show the bombshell Blue Jeans hitmaker being walked down the aisle by dad Robert Grant, reports Daily Mail USA.
On September 23, the unlikely couple picked up a marriage license, according to reports by TMZ.
Jeremy is a divorced dad of two and works as a tour guide at Arthur‘s Air Boat Tours, a small business based in Des Allemands, Louisiana.
When he’s not busy giving swamp tours, Jeremy spends his days feeding alligators, whom he fondly refers to as his “Cajun yard dogs.”
His Instagram is filled with videos of him fearlessly interacting with the bayou’s wild inhabitants and enjoying Southern pastimes like crab boils and bonfires with his family.
Lana Del Rey, 39, and Jeremy Dufrene are reported to have an age gap of around 10 years.
Jeremy’s Instagram reveals that he celebrated his birthday in March, which aligns with the recent lyric change Lana made during a concert performance.
Fans were quick to notice that she altered the lyrics of her song “Chemtrails Over the Country Club” from “You’re born in December and I’m born in June” to “You’re born in March and I’m born in June”.
Lana Del Rey has been linked to several high-profile romances in the past.
Del Rey began dating O’Neill, a Scottish singer-songwriter, in 2011.
The couple even sparked an engagement rumor when she was seen with a massive diamond ring but the following year they were no longer together.
In July 2014 the star reportedly dated Italian director and photographer Francesco Carrozzini but by November their break up had been confirmed.
Del Rey then had a brief fling with rapper G-Eazy, whom she was first spotted with in April 2017 at Coachella.
After which she began a relationship with Sean Larkin, which ended in 2020.
She was then engaged to singer Clayton Johnson, who she met on a dating app, but they called off the engagement in 2021.
She has also been rumored to have flings with Salem rocker Jack Donoghue and, most recently, musician Evan Winiker.
From his fearless alligator-handling skills to his easygoing Louisiana charm, Jeremy Dufrene is certainly an unexpected match for the “Video Games” singer.
57-year-old Dennis Lynn Sharpe of Granite Falls, was arrested Tuesday (September 24) in Alexander County by Alexander County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged with felony counts of possession of schedule II…
More on Granite Falls Man Charged With Drug Offenses Following Traffic Stop In Alexander County available on WHKY.
29-year-old James Holland Helms of Winding Cedar Drive in Maiden was arrested Thursday (September 26) by Catawba County Sheriff’s Officers. He’s charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious…
More on Maiden Man Charged With Multiple Assault Counts available on WHKY.
