Millions of households face higher gas and electricity bills from October, with Ofgem confirming the energy price cap will rise by 2%. The typical annual bill will hit £1,755 - an extra £35 a year. At the same time, millions of pensioners risk losing out on up to £300 in Winter Fuel Payments unless they act now. The DWP has set the qualifying week as 16 to 22 September 2025.

Almost 10 million pensioners lost the Winter Fuel Payment last year after Labour axed universal access. A government U-turn in June restored it for state pensioners, but with new rules attached. Anyone earning over £35,000 a year will have the money clawed back through the tax system unless they opt out before September 15. The change means 7.4 million more pensioners will receive the payment this year, while two mill

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