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Winter Fuel Payment 2022/2023 - apply via your local authority. Cynllun cymorth tanwydd Cymru: 2022 i 2023. Gallwch gwneud cais trwy eich awdurdod lleol.

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Winter Fuel Payment 2022/2023 - apply via your local authority. Cynllun cymorth tanwydd Cymru: 2022 i 2023. Gallwch gwneud cais trwy eich awdurdod lleol.

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Winter fuel support scheme | GOV.WALES

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Funding has been made available through a Winter Fuel Support Scheme as part of a package of support to address the immediate pressures on living costs.

Eligible households can claim a one-off £200 payment from their local council. The money is to provide support towards paying winter fuel bills.

The payment will be available to all eligible households regardless of how they pay for fuel. This includes payments made on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or by paying a bill quarterly.

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Funding has been made available through a Winter Fuel Support Scheme as part of a package of support to address the immediate pressures on living costs. Eligible households can claim a one-off £200 payment from their local council. The money is to provide support towards paying winter fuel bills.

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Contents Insurance- choose the right policy and cover/ Yswiriant cynnwys – dewis y polisi a'r yswiriant cywir

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Contents Insurance- choose the right policy and cover/ Yswiriant cynnwys – dewis y polisi a'r yswiriant cywir

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What is a good contents insurance policy?

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What to do if something goes wrong with your benefits.

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What speed do I need- gaming?/ Pa gyflymder sydd ei angen – Chwarae gêmau?

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What speed do I need- gaming?/ Pa gyflymder sydd ei angen – Chwarae gêmau?

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(Image credit: Carol Yepes)

The best broadband speed for gaming could be the difference between a lag-fuelled defeat or coming out on top. Getting the best broadband deals isn't even going to be the tough part, as we've got that covered, below. The challenge is going to be coming up with an excuse for anything but a win and no...its not the controllers fault.

So what you need is speed, which means bandwidth, on your connection. Get enough and both the download and upload speed will remain fast enough to translate to a smooth gaming experience.

The question is, how fast should your broadband be for the best gaming experience?

How much speed do you need for gaming?

What does Mb mean?

The first step is to take a broadband speed test so you know where you're at right now. From here you can workout what you need.

While you can get gaming, theoretically, by using cheap broadband running off ADSL, it's recommended that you go faster than 3Mb, if available where you are.

While some games may require more bandwidth than others, you also have to account for variations in the service at different times of day. You could also do with giving yourself some spare bandwidth to cover off use of the line by anyone else you share it with.

Why do I need more broadband speed?

Lag is your number one enemy when online gaming. This is when you get a slow connection and could end up seeing another player as still, when they are moving at you to attack. This can be avoided by getting a good enough broadband connection.

Both the download and upload speeds are important to facilitate that exchange of data between your machine and the server at the other end. The better the connection, the smoother and more accurate the gaming experience.

Which broadband is fast enough for gaming?

The best of the best when it come to speed right now are fibre broadband deals connection. This uses fibre optics, meaning light speed data. That also means no speed limit - theoretically - in the future, as hardware at either end can be upgraded. Back to the now and it's the best way to get an ideal gaming connection.

You don't have to pay a lot to get an average speed of around 35Mb, which will serve you well for most gaming needs. But it's worth paying an extra few pounds a month to get 50Mb or more. That covers you even if someone else on the connection is watching a 4K stream in the other room, say.

Of course you might not have access to that in your area. In which case other services like satellite or phone network broadband could be good options. There's a recent trend for households turning to 4G home broadband and in some big cities even 5G home broadband, and it would be no surprise to see that perpetuate even further as 5G becomes more widely available.

What about ultrafast broadband for gaming?

While gaming, or most other tasks, won't ever take up all the bandwidth of a top-end broadband connection, it's good to have some buffer space for future upgrades and the ability to share the bandwidth with others.

Fibre broadband can now reach speeds of up to 1Gb in some areas. Yup, that's far more than you'll need for gaming. Even the Virgin Broadband with its 370Mb top-end line, and BT Broadband close offering 300Mb speeds, are probably overkill. But we say you can never have too much bandwidth as a just-in-case cover-all.

So a good idea might be to work out what you need steadily. Start at a 50Mb line and then upgrade to faster if needed. If it's money no object speed you're after, go for the fastest you can get and rest easy knowing you'll always get a lag free gaming experience.
Read more:
Today's best broadband deals

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What broadband speed do I need for gaming?

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(Image credit: Carol Yepes) The best broadband speed for gaming could be the difference between a lag-fuelled defeat or coming out on top. Getting the best broadband deals isn't even going to be the tough part, as we've got that covered, below.

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Get advice if you're having problems with your gas or electricity supply.

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What speed do I need- Streaming films?/ Pa gyflymder sydd ei angen – Ffrydio ffilmiau?

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What speed do I need- Streaming films?/ Pa gyflymder sydd ei angen – Ffrydio ffilmiau?

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(Image credit: Shutterstock / wutzkohphoto)

Love Netflix, hate buffering. It may sound like a first world problem, but there aren't many things more irritating than seeing that swirling red circle in the middle of the screen just as you're getting to a shocking climax - which is why you need to be sure you have the best broadband deal before you even start thinking about things like streaming devices and Netflix settings.

Get the right broadband plan and you can enjoy all the best Netflix shows and movies as they were intended to be experienced. Presuming you have the right device to support the best quality too, of course.

From 4K resolution landscapes dazzling your eyes to rich HDR scenes pulling you into the action, and even Dolby Atmos sound encapsulating another sense - there is a lot to getting Netflix right.

So, why does Papa Netflix want you to be rocking all that speed?

Why do I need fast broadband for Netflix?

If you pop over to our broadband speed test and find that you are lacking on speed then you might not be getting the best Netflix stream. More on what lacking actually means, below.

Yup, Netflix will cleverly downgrade the quality of the video and audio to suit your connection speed so you get the smoothest results - but not necessarily the best quality.

By quality we're talking about the top-end 4K and HDR video which means a fantastic amount of detail in that resolution and clarity in that High Dynamic Range offering.

If you've already shelled for a fancy 4K and HDR TV but don't have the broadband to support it then you may have wasted your money as far as Netflix quality is concerned.

Another way to check speeds is within the Netflix app itself. For this, pop into the Settings, select Check your Network, then wait for the app to run the test. Simple.

How fast should my broadband be for Netflix?

Netflix says that if you want to enjoy all the 4K and HDR quality of its streaming media then you'll need a connection of 25Mb. So you'll need a good quality fibre broadband connection, it's that simple.

If your speeds aren't that high then you'll be bumped down to a lower quality feed. Go for that TV with fancy Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support? They're going to waste if you're not hitting that speed requirement. The minimum requirements break down like this:

25Mb - 4K and HDR

5Mb - HD

3Mb - SD

1.5Mb - Recommended minimum

0.5Mb - Required minimum

What are my broadband options for Netflix?

If you're not hitting that 25Mb connection level then you may want to think about a change of broadband plan or even a switch of provider. There are lots of options out there for you to check out, from hard wired superfast BT broadband or Virgin Media broadband for maximum speeds where available.

Not too sure which is best and want to get the cheapest but fastest in your area? We've taken the work out of searching for you in our best broadband deals feature.
Read more:
Today's best broadband deals

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What broadband speed do I need for Netflix?

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(Image credit: Shutterstock / wutzkohphoto) Love Netflix, hate buffering. It may sound like a first world problem, but there aren't many things more irritating than seeing that swirling red circle in the middle of the screen just as you're getting to a shocking climax - which is why you need to be sure you have the best broadband deal before you even start thinking about things like streaming devices and Netflix settings.

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Shopping around/ Cymharu prisiau a gwasanaeth

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Shopping around/ Cymharu prisiau a gwasanaeth

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What is a good broadband deal?

A good broadband deal is one that suits the needs of your household. It isn't always the cheapest, the fastest, or the deal with the most extras - it's the deal with the most of what you need.

If you only use your broadband occasionally and usually just use it for email and social media, a good deal could well be the cheapest one you can find.

If you have avid gamers living with you, Netflix shows constantly on the go, children at home using the internet, or you regularly work from home, a good broadband deal could be one that offers the most reliable connection and fast download speeds.

At the end of the day, the best broadband deal is the best one for you.

But remember, the needs of your household can change over time, which means that whatever makes a good broadband package now may not be suitable for you a year or two down the line.

When searching for the best package for your household, consider what you'll be using the internet for, what extras you'd like to get (TV bundles, landline services, mobile phone deals, etc) and what you definitely want to avoid.

You can compare a wide range of broadband deals with Uswitch.com. Just filter your postcode search results by speed, price and provider to help you make the most accurate choice.

See our guide for more info on how to choose a broadband package that's right for you.

Best broadband deals on Uswitch.com in January 2021

What are the best broadband deals in my area?

The best broadband deals in your area will depend on the fixed lines and the infrastructure where you live, meaning not all broadband deals will be available to your home.

If you have your heart set on a provider that advertises 300Mbps download speeds, you might end up being disappointed if it turns out your house could only get a fifth of that because the network is not established in your neighbourhood.

If your street has had a full fibre, or fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network installed then ultrafast, or even gigabit broadband speeds, could be yours for the taking. However if you only have access to traditional copper phone lines, you'll be limited to more widely-available but slower connections like superfast FTTC (fibre-to-the-cabinet) broadband or standard copper-based ADSL.

Before browsing and comparing broadband deals online, first use our broadband postcode checker to narrow your search down to deals that you can actually get. You'll then have to confirm the availability at your specific address on the provider's site after you click on a deal you like.

We recently launched a much more accurate broadband checker that can actually tell you which broadband deals and speeds you can get at your home, not just your local area. Try our Broadband Network Checker for more specific results from several of the UK's biggest providers.

How to compare broadband deals

Here are a few things to consider when finding the right deal for your household:

Check the monthly price

The first thing most of us look at when comparing internet deals will be the price. And if you've finished your initial contract, a new broadband deal will usually be cheaper than your current one.

You would have committed to a fixed-term contract when you initially signed up, but when that period runs out your provider will likely hike up the price by a significant amount - which Uswitch has found to be as high as 61% at times.

So straight away when comparing new deals, you know that you'll be able to save money by switching.

End of contract notifications

Organising your household bills can be complicated. With so many contracts to keep track of, it's easy to forget when you initially signed up for each service. But it's important to know that if you've unknowingly finished your fixed-term broadband contract, you might be paying more than you should be right now.

If you can't remember when you signed up, there's no need to worry. Ofcom has made it compulsory for broadband providers to remind you when your contract is ending - or to let you know if you're already out of contract - in order to help you avoid an expensive price hike.

This notification must also come with an offer of similar deals that the provider currently has available, but it's worth noting that those deals won't necessarily be better than other offers on the market. So it's always helpful to browse deals across a range of providers before you go for the first one you see.

To get more information, like when you should be notified and additional services the provider might offer, check out our full guide on end of contract notifications.

Compare broadband speeds

After price, broadband speed is usually the most important deciding factor when choosing a broadband package.

Faster download speeds let you do a lot more online at any one time and allow you to stream in a higher quality, but they typically come with a higher monthly price as a result. So make sure you choose a broadband service that's fast enough, but don't go for more speed than you need if you want to keep costs down.

Of course, you could always prioritise finding the cheapest broadband package on offer, but if it's not a fast enough speed for your household's demand, it won't really be that much of a deal for you.

Check the contract length

Broadband contracts tend to be offered as either 12- or 18-months long, with a few providers offering flexible rolling plans or, at the other end of the spectrum, 24-month contracts. But don't be scared of longer contracts - despite being a lengthy commitment, they often just mean that you'll be paying a lower monthly price for a longer period of time.

Just be cautious if you're a student or renting your home, as you don't want to get stung with early termination fees if you have to move before your contract is finished.

Keep in mind setup costs

Make sure to check for setup costs on the deal you want as they can offset some of the savings you make from a low monthly price.

Setup costs are clearly shown below monthly prices on all of the deals we display - they typically include all the delivery, installation and activation costs you will incur when purchasing a specific broadband package.

Extras, add-ons and bundles

There's more to life than just broadband - there's a whole host of additional services that are available with many broadband packages. You can compare broadband packages from providers that combine services like landline call plans, pay-TV subscriptions (known together as triple-play) or even mobile contracts (quad-play) from larger providers.

Free gifts, vouchers, reward cards and cashback

In order to make their deals stand out, providers will often "sweeten the pot" with some kind of reward or incentive - like cashback, bill credits or a free gift of some kind.

Depending on the value of these rewards (and specifically their value to you), they can make the effective monthly cost more 'worth it', or enrich your package a little bit more. These rewards are typically limited-time offers, but don't let that force you into making a decision too quickly.

If you know what you want from a new broadband deal, try not to be seduced by short-term wins like a £100 gift card if it's not the right deal for you. However, if the deal is what you're looking for, don't wait too long because you might miss out on some good freebies.

What broadband speed do I need?

The higher the speed, the faster you can download files and the higher quality your streaming content will be. But how much broadband speed do you really need, and are the top-end options really worth you paying a higher monthly price?

Broadband speeds are usually quoted in Mbps, which stands for "megabits per second". This refers to the amount of data you can download (and upload) in a second.

If you're happy with how fast your current broadband connection is, then it's a good idea to only search for deals that provide your current speed. It's very easy to filter out deals with higher or lower speeds than what you're looking for on all of our Uswitch deals tables - just go through the left sidebar and choose the speeds you'd like.

Read our guide for more detail on what broadband speed you need.

What's my broadband speed?

A good way to find out what speed you currently have is to run a broadband speed test while you're at home and connected to your Wi-Fi. This will tell you the download and upload speeds you have with your current package.

You can then use that reading to search for broadband deals that match your speed criteria. If you're finding your broadband is slow, unreliable, constantly buffering or taking ages to download content, then it would make sense to look for something faster.

Broadband speeds for your home

0-30Mbps (1 - 2 people per household)

Fine for those that don't use the internet for much more than browsing the web or social media.

Mostly serviced by ADSL broadband, which offers average download speeds of 10Mbps.

30-60Mbps (3+ users per household)

Suitable for multiple people using the internet at the same time, especially when streaming video.

Infrequent streamers and smaller houses can likely get away with a broadband deal offering these speeds.

Fibre broadband packages will give a more consistent, reliable service.

60-100Mbps (serious streaming households)

You'll want to make sure you've got a steady connection to try to avoid buffering, especially if multiple members of the household are streaming or gaming at once.

Aim to have at least 63Mbps to ensure uninterrupted streaming, gameplay and frequent file downloads for larger households.

Faster fibre broadband deals are usually only a few pounds more per month and are worth it for heavier broadband users.

100Mbps or higher (working with large files and downloads)

Ideal for serious online gamers and those with a lot of connected devices throughout their home.

Great for people who often work from home and need to download lots of large files.

Faster connections are vital for households with multiple conference calls at once and those that want the fastest speeds for high-quality gaming.

To get more detail on how much download speed certain devices use up, check out our broadband download speed calculator.

Which are the most popular broadband providers in the UK?

BT: The UK's largest telecommunications provider - and the most established - with a history spanning back over 160 years.

Sky: Best known as one of the biggest TV brands in the UK, Sky has a great selection of broadband and TV bundles.

Virgin Media: Virgin Media is one of the few providers that runs on its own dedicated cable broadband network, offering some of the fastest speeds in the country.

TalkTalk: Known for its range of competitively-priced offerings that focus on value for money.

Plusnet: A popular brand for value-led broadband products and great customer service.

Vodafone: One of the UK's largest and best-known mobile network operators, Vodafone also provides superfast fibre services with discounts available for mobile subscribers.

Will I get the advertised broadband speed?

Broadband speeds are always advertised as 'average speeds', meaning you won't always be guaranteed to get that speed every time you use the internet on your Wi-Fi.

In order to be accurate, average speeds are measured during peak times - between 8pm and 10pm when most people are online - and must be available to at least 50% of users. This means you've got a 50/50 chance of getting speeds above or below this number.

What can affect your broadband speed?

There are a range of factors that can impact the broadband speed you get.

1. The type of connection you have

In general, fibre broadband offers faster and more reliable speeds than ADSL broadband, which makes sense since fibre-optic cables transfer more data in a given time period and suffer from fewer interruptions than the copper wires ADSL relies on.

2. How far you live from the exchange or cabinet

Despite its name, fibre broadband doesn't necessarily mean your connection is serviced entirely by fibre-optic cables. In a lot of cases, it just means that most of it is.

If your fibre package is fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC), the final journey of the connection from the local street cabinet to your home is serviced by the same traditional copper wires as ADSL broadband. Therefore, the farther you are away from that cabinet, the more reliant you are on copper cables, which means your connection might be slower.

However, fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology, commonly known as full fibre, does in fact connect fibre-optic cables straight from the broadband exchange to your property, which eliminates the slowdown you get between the cabinet and your home. This results in the fastest connections available, with gigabit speeds (1000Mbps/1Gbps) potentially in reach.

3. Where you put your router

If you're experiencing slow internet speeds, the solution could be as simple as moving your Wi-Fi router to a better spot. Let's face it - routers aren't the prettiest of things, so we tend to hide them behind furniture or in cabinets.

However, this interferes with the Wi-Fi signal in your home and could slow your broadband connection down significantly, especially if it's blocked by thick walls, surrounding metal, or even a fish tank. For a better signal throughout your home, keep your router in a central location out in the open and ideally away from any other electronic devices.

Take a look at our guide for more help on how to fix broadband connection problems in your home.

4. The time of day

Just like rush hour traffic, the busier the internet is, the slower it tends to be. With more people using their Wi-Fi during peak times, the demand on broadband providers drastically increases, which results in slower speeds for each household. Again, this is an issue that mainly affects people on ADSL broadband plans.

Sometimes a provider's Fair Usage Policy measures will kick in, which might occasionally cause slower speeds for you if there are others in the area who aren't getting their fair share of bandwidth.

Read more about the Fair Usage Policy in our dedicated guide.

Can I get fibre broadband?

Fibre broadband is far superior to ADSL, and is now available to over 95% of the UK. Also, as its availability has increased the market has become much more competitive, meaning fibre broadband is usually very reasonably priced these days and often not much more expensive than ADSL deals.

The majority of providers offer fibre broadband deals that are well worth the few extra pounds per month. Compared to ADSL, fibre broadband has a couple of significant benefits:

Faster speeds: Fibre broadband will always be faster than ADSL and can range from roughly 36Mbps to 1000Mbps (or 1Gbps), depending on the type of fibre connection you choose. By comparison, ADSL broadband can usually offer around 10Mbps.

Reliability: Due to the infrastructure behind it, fibre broadband offers a more reliable connection than ADSL. Fibre-optic cables can carry more data than copper wires, so households with fibre broadband won't experience the same sluggish broadband during peak times.

Compare broadband bundles and packages to find a better deal

While broadband is pretty much a household utility nowadays, it probably isn't the only essential service you'd get from a telecoms provider. So if you're looking to get a landline or TV subscription as well as broadband, it could work out cheaper to combine them into a bundle of services.

Broadband and phone packages

A number of broadband providers offer call packages as well, which can potentially save you money if you're still using your landline. If you're interested in finding a broadband deal with calls included, check out our dedicated comparison page for broadband and phone deals.

Broadband and TV bundles

In addition to calls packages, a number of major broadband providers offer pay-TV services bundled together with their broadband deals. These are better value only when you're looking to take full advantage of your TV package, whether that's by watching exclusive content, recording shows or watching live sports or events.

Once you know what features and channels you want out of a broadband and TV bundle, you can compare broadband and TV deals on our featured page.

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Broadband Deals - Compare Best January 2021 Broadband Packages | Uswitch.com

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We scour the entire market and the leading broadband providers to bring you the top broadband, TV and home phone offers and use our market position to secure market-leading exclusive deals that you won't find anywhere else. Compare broadband, TV & home phone deals BT, EE, TalkTalk, O2, Sky, Virgin Media and more.

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Who offers broadband?/ Pwy sy’n cynnig band eang?

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Who offers broadband?/ Pwy sy’n cynnig band eang?

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There are a lot of companies that offer broadband so make sure you shop around.
Below are some examples/
Mae llawer o gwmnïau yn cynnig band eang, felly gofalwch eich bod yn cymharu prisiau a gwasanaeth.
Mae rhai enghreifftiau isod:

BT

EE

Now Broadband

Plusnet

Post Office

Shell

Sky

SSE

TalkTalk

Virgin

Vodafone

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Broadband speed in my area/ Cyflymder band eang yn fy ardal i

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Broadband speed in my area/ Cyflymder band eang yn fy ardal i

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The mobile and broadband checker lets you:

Enter a postcode to view mobile coverage by provider, or availability of broadband services (standard, superfast and ultrafast). You can also view the results as interactive maps.

If you can't get a download speed of 10Mbit/s, you may be eligible for the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO).
Use the mobile and broadband checker
You can view the checker in Welsh by switching languages in the top right of the page. For further information about the checker, read our FAQs.

Download the checker app

The checker is also available as an app. You can download it for free to your smartphone or tablet.

The benefits of the app over the web browser version are that it:

runs a more robust performance and speed test with more detailed results

allows you to test the speed of your 3G or 4G connection

has a history log so that you can track your test results over time.

Broadband and mobile data API

The fixed broadband and mobile data is also available for developers via an API.

Want to check the network status in your area?

Our coverage checker cannot tell you about maintenance or reported issues in your area. Your provider may have this information on their website.

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The mobile and broadband checker lets you: Enter a postcode to view mobile coverage by provider, or availability of broadband services (standard, superfast and ultrafast). You can also view the results as interactive maps. If you can't get a download speed of 10Mbit/s, you may be eligible for the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO).

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Online or by phone using a Debit / Credit Card

Use our online payment service or automated payment line on 0800 028 5209 to pay your bill in full or an installment you have agreed with us. It's safe, secure, quick and easy. You can pay when it's convenient for you.

Internet / Phone Banking / By BACS

Use your internet or phone banking to pay your bill in full or an instalment you have agreed with us.

If you're paying from a UK bank account you'll need:*

Sort code: - 522107

Account number: - 01500007

If you're paying from an account abroad, you'll need:*

IBAN number: - GB51 NWBK 5221 0701 5000 07

BIC number: - NWBK GB 2L

*When you make your payment, please give us your 10 or 12 digit customer reference shown on any bill or letter we have sent you. This is how we send your payment to the correct water account.

Payment Card

If a Direct Debit is not for you, but you want to spread your bill over instalments, you can setup a payment card.

Take your payment card and your payment to your local Post Office, or any shop, petrol station etc. where the PayPoint sign is displayed. There's no extra charge to pay by payment card! Find your nearest PayPoint outlet or Post Office and apply for a payment card here.

At any Bank or Post Office

Pay free of charge at any bank or Post Office. Please complete the Giro payment slip on your bill and take it along with you. Check your local post office branch opening hours.
Please note that you are not able to pay via a cheque at a Post Office.
By Post

Post your completed Giro payment slip from your bill with your cheque or postal order to: Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, P.O.BOX 690, Cardiff, CF3 5WL.

When paying by post, did you know...

Make your cheque or postal order payable to Dŵr Cymru Cyf.

Write your 10 digit customer reference on the back.

We don't accept post dated cheques. Any cheque received will be banked on the day we receive it.

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Ways to pay my bill | Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

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Use our online payment service or automated payment line on 0800 028 5209 to pay your bill in full or an installment you have agreed with us. It's safe, secure, quick and easy. You can pay when it's convenient for you.

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Energy Saving Tips/ Cynghorion arbed ynni

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Energy Saving Tips/ Cynghorion arbed ynni

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Whether you're a homeowner, private or social renter, student, or you live at home with your parents, there are many things you can do to reduce how much energy you use and how much is spent.

We're all responsible for the energy we use in our homes. Take a look at our quick tips and see if you're saving as much energy as you could be.
Please note, all savings on this page are based on figures for Great Britain and are not applicable to Northern Ireland.
1. Understand your bill

The information on a typical energy bill can be confusing, but understanding it can go a long way to helping you get to grips with your energy usage at home.

This video from Home Energy Scotland provides a helpful guide.

2. Switch off standby

You can save around £30 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.

Almost all electrical and electronic appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. You may want to think about getting a standby saver which allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go.

Check the instructions for any appliances you aren't sure about. Some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.

3. Careful in your kitchen

You can save around £36 a year from your energy bill just by using your kitchen appliances more carefully:

Use a bowl to wash up rather than a running tap and save £25 a year in energy bills.

Cutback your washing machine use by just one cycle per week and save £5 a year on energy.

Only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need and save around £6 a year.

4. Get a head

If you've got a shower that takes hot water straight from your boiler or hot water tank (rather than an electric shower), fit a water efficient shower head. This will reduce your hot water usage while retaining the sensation of a powerful shower.

A water efficient shower head could save a four person household (e.g. a family of four or even a shared student flat) as much as £70 a year on gas for water heating, as well as a further £115 a year on water bills if they have a water meter.
Calculation is based on the assumption that a family of 4 takes 20 showers a week and replaces a 13 litre/minute power-shower head with a 7.7 litre/min water efficient shower head, and the family are charged £2.97 per cubic meter of water used (includes sewage charge).
5. Spend less time in the shower

Spending one minute less in the shower each day will save up to £7 a year off your energy bills, per person. With a water meter this could save a further £12 off annual water and sewerage bills.

If everyone in a four-person household did this it would lead to a total saving of £75 a year.

6. Draught proofing

Unless your home is very new, you will lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney.

Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can cost around £200, but can save around £20 a year on energy bills. DIY draught proofing can be much cheaper.

Installing a chimney draught excluder could save around £15 a year as well.

7. Take control of your heating

More than half the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water.

Installing a room thermostat, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves and using these controls efficiently could save you around £75 a year.

If you already have a full set of controls, turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save around £80 a year.

Whatever the age of your boiler the right controls will allow you to:

Set your heating and hot water to come on and off when you need them

Heat only the areas of your home that need heating

Set the temperature for each area of your home.

8. Get savvy with smart controls

Smart heating controls are the latest innovation to help you control your heating and understand your energy use.

They allow you to control your heating remotely via a mobile app, meaning that you can manage the temperature of your home from wherever you are, at whatever time of day.

A smart meter with in-home display or energy monitor can help householders save energy by increasing awareness of energy use, helping to cut waste. Government estimates that a display or monitor could typically help reduce a household's electricity use by 2.8% and gas use by 2%.

9. Switch to LEDs

You can now get LED spotlights that are bright enough to replace halogens, as well as regular energy saving bulbs ('compact fluorescent lamps' or CFLs). They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and fittings.

If the average household replaced all of their bulbs with LEDs, it would cost about £100 and save about £35 a year on bills.

10. Turn off lights

Turn your lights off when you're not using them. If you switch a light off for just a few seconds, you will save more energy than it takes for the light to start up again, regardless of the type of light.

This will save you around £14 a year on your annual energy bills.

Are you a homeowner?

If you're a homeowner, there are some other things you can consider to improve the energy efficiency of your home. These can be more costly to put in place, but will benefit you in the long term.

Are you renting?

Potential tenants don't always apply the same level of scrutiny to their potential home as buyers. But when it comes to energy efficiency, this could be a key mistake.

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Whether you're a homeowner, private or social renter, student, or you live at home with your parents, there are many things you can do to reduce how much energy you use and how much is spent. We're all responsible for the energy we use in our homes.

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Energy Saving Tips/ Cynghorion arbed ynni

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Energy Saving Tips/ Cynghorion arbed ynni

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Image taken from Youth Cymru Energy toolkit / Delwedd o becyn offer Ynni Youth Cymru https://youthcymru.org.uk/resources/

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Council Tax exemption/ Eithriad i’r Dreth Gyngor

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Council Tax exemption/ Eithriad i’r Dreth Gyngor

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The plan to take forward regulations to exempt care leavers under 25 from paying council tax is set out as responses to a consultation with local authorities, voluntary organisations, taxpayers and care leavers themselves are published.

The feedback to the consultation has been very positive, with 91% of respondents supporting the proposal to provide this additional help to care leavers and 80% agreeing the exemption should be extended to the age of 25.

The principle of exempting care leavers from paying council tax has been widely accepted for some time, but the level of support available to care leavers across Wales has been inconsistent.

The new legislation is the latest in a series of measures designed to make council tax fairer in Wales - a key Welsh Government commitment.

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said:

"I am keen the Welsh Government and local authorities do everything possible to support care leavers and support their successful transition into adulthood and independent living.

"Today's announcement is another positive step in our pledge to make council tax fairer and I want to thank everyone who took part in the consultation."

As council tax bills start to arrive through the letterboxes of homes across Wales, the Finance Minister is urging people to check if they are entitled to help paying their bill.

The minister added:

"There are many discounts, reductions and exemptions available and I would encourage everyone to check the Welsh Government website to see if they could be paying less council tax."

More information about the support on GOV.WALES
The regulations to exempt care leavers from paying council tax will be laid before the National Assembly in early March.

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Young care leavers to be exempt from paying council tax

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The plan to take forward regulations to exempt care leavers under 25 from paying council tax is set out as responses to a consultation with local authorities, voluntary organisations, taxpayers and care leavers themselves are published.

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There are so many networks and contracts to choose from these days, how do you know if you're getting the best mobile phone deal? We'll show you the ropes.
With so many different elements to consider with your phone contract - minutes, data, overseas charges and more - it's hard to know where to start.

But finding the right mobile phone contract to suit your needs can save you up to £50 a month, so it's important to get it right!

To help you out, we've put together all our favourite apps and insider knowledge you can use to save money on your phone bill and make sure you're getting the best deal - as well as avoid scary hidden charges!

Looking to go SIM only? We've done the hard work for you by tracking down the best deals.

How to find the best mobile phone deals

These are the best ways to get a good mobile phone contract:

1. Keep track of your mobile minutes, text and data

It can be tempting to just pick the cheapest deal you can find to save some money, and sometimes that is the best course of action. But thanks to penalty charges, it's often not the case with phone contracts.

If you use more than your allocated amount of data, minutes or texts, you could be stung by some seriously steep fees for anything you use over the allowance.

So, work out how much you need and how much you use, and go from there.

If you send 1,000 texts each month, get a contract with at least that much - even if it's a couple of quid more expensive than one with just 500 texts. Chances are that the penalty charges would amount to far, far more than a slightly more expensive contract.

Similarly, however, you shouldn't go for a contract with way more than you need. Although a large number of contracts nowadays come with unlimited texts and calls, not all do, and those that don't could be a great way to save money if you're not a big texter/caller.

I never usually call people, but one month during uni I had a couple of group projects on the go and had a few extended calls to sort some things out.

I only had 100 minutes on my contract, and as I'd never even gone close to the limit before, it didn't cross my mind that I could be maxing it out.

Come the end of the month, and my usage on a contract that usually charged £25/month amounted to a whopping £109.

Moral of the story: remember what is and isn't included in your contract!
Tom Allingham, Editor at Save the Student

2. How much data do you need on your contract?

Your data allowance is probably the worst one to exceed, as not only are the charges extortionate, but it's incredibly easy to use data without realising.

Use the settings on your phone to establish which apps tend to use up the most data and avoid using them as much as possible when you're out and about.

You can also set apps to only work when connected to a WiFi network - this will save you a bucketload if you find your data is wasting away. We'd particularly recommend using this setting for apps like Spotify and Netflix, which can easily sap your data allowance a lot quicker than you'd realise.

Some phones will even disconnect from WiFi after a period of inactivity, so if you have a small data allowance, consider turning your data off whenever you're connected to WiFi.

As for how much data to sign up for, most users will find around 5GB is enough. But if you plan on streaming content or watching TV on your phone, go for an unlimited data deal or one that offers at least 10GB per month.

3. Get cheap mobile phone insurance

When you're carrying a £500+ smartphone around with you everywhere you go, it's nice to know that it's covered in case of an accident.

Many phone insurance companies will sell you what they call a 'comprehensive' insurance package for between £8 to £15 per month, but when it comes to the crunch, some firms will find all manner of excuses to avoid paying out.

Our advice? First of all, check whether your phone is covered under you or your parents' house or contents insurance before taking out a phone insurance policy.

If you're not covered, read our guide to finding the best mobile phone insurance - you could get coverage for just a few quid a month.

4. Phone contracts with cashback offers

Increasingly, sites such as Mobiles.co.uk and e2save.com have started offering cashback deals with their contracts. These deals are legit, but how easy it is to get your cashback can depend on the type being offered.

'Cashback by redemption' (or anything with a similar name) is the one to watch out for, as this often means you'll have to send in monthly bill statements to claim your cashback.

It's much easier to go for deals with 'instant cashback' or get your cashback as a lump-sum by going through a cashback website like TopCashback or Quidco (see our guide to using cashback sites for more details).

In this instance, no action is needed from you, aside from clicking on the right link. You could get well over £100 in free money if you're lucky - not to be sniffed at!

5. Choose the best length contract

No one wants to be tied into a phone contract for the long haul but sometimes, in order to get a good deal, networks will expect you to sign up for a set number of months (normally at least a year).

It's true that you can get rolling contracts with no commitment, but unless these are SIM only, they're not a cost-effective way of doing things.

Most networks will offer you the choice of 12, 18, 24 or 36-month contracts, with the monthly cost decreasing as the length of contract increases.

It's all about striking a balance. While cheaper is obviously more appealing, you don't want to be tied in forever in case your circumstances change.

Our advice is to stick to an 18 or 24-month contract, giving you the rewards of a slightly cheaper contract while limiting your contract term to give you that all-important flexibility should it be necessary.

6. Find a deal with reduced overseas tariffs

If you reckon you'll be going abroad at any point during your contract period (and even if you're not planning a trip right now, 24 months is a long time - you might!), beware that data roaming can cost way more than your usual tariff.

While the EU has laws to ensure that using your phone in Europe costs no more than at home, using it outside of the EU can involve some hefty additional costs. And, thanks to Brexit, there's now no legal guarantee that your network won't reintroduce roaming charges for using data on the continent.

That said, a number of major networks have said they have no plans to bring back data roaming charges in Europe, so we seem to be safe for now.

These overseas tariffs apply if you make a lot of international calls too (for example, if you have friends or family who live abroad). Scout out each network's relevant charges before you commit and, if necessary, check out some cheaper ways to make international calls.

7. Consider SIM only contracts

If you've already got a decent phone and aren't that bothered about upgrading to the latest and greatest model, there's nothing to stop you keeping it and switching to a SIM only deal. Just remember, you'll need to unlock your phone if you want to use it with a network other than the one you bought it with.

If you do need a new phone but don't want to pay through the nose for it, another option is to head to eBay, where you'll find iPhones in great nick being sold for as little as £100. Of course, it always helps if you use our eBay shopping hacks!

The trick is to wait until a new fancy model has just been released, as people will be desperately trying to flog their current phones for the newest model.

Anyway, as you're not paying for the phone itself with a SIM only contract, you can net some serious savings - loads of decent contracts come in at under a tenner a month.

To work out what your cheapest option is, you'll need to consider the lifetime cost of a phone and the contract.

Say the best deal for a phone you wanted was £38/month for 24 months. At the end of the contract, you'd have spent £912. Use tools like Idealo to see how cheap you can find the phone for by itself, and then find a SIM only deal with equivalent minutes, texts and data.

Add together the cost of the phone and the SIM only contract and see how it compares to the bundle - it'll usually be cheaper!

8. Which mobile network is the best?

Mobile phone signal varies hugely throughout the UK, and some networks offer much better signal than others in certain areas.

Ofcom has a mobile network coverage checker that you can use to see which networks are working best in your area, but you may find it's just as effective to ask friends and family who live nearby how they find it on their network.

While it's also good to do a bit of research on the customer service rating of each brand, we'd recommend steering clear of the likes of Trustpilot on this one - pretty much every mobile phone network has an awful rating! It seems as though in this case, more than any other, people are only leaving reviews when they're seriously annoyed.

9. Ask your network for a better phone contract

If your contract is coming to an end, it's likely you've heard from your network offering you an upgrade to a new phone (although they might not get in touch about this - best get checking if you're due one!).

You have a few options at this stage: either upgrade, stick with your current phone model and ask to switch to a SIM only plan, or switch to a different network altogether.

You could also stick with your current phone and current contract, but this is the biggest waste of money imaginable. Remember that across your contract, you'll be paying off the cost of your phone (usually at an already-inflated cost) - continuing to pay it after the fixed term is up is just throwing money away.

Now, while you may shy away at the thought of negotiating with your network, we have this great guide on how to haggle that will help you master the art. And bear in mind that this is the prime time to make serious savings on your contract, so you won't want to miss this chance.

From a network's point of view, having you pay slightly less on your contract is better than you paying money to another company, so they're very willing to listen to your demands.

When is the best time to get a phone contract?

We're not 100% sure how true this is, but rumour has it that calling up and haggling at the beginning of the month brings the biggest rewards.

Customer service staff apparently have a pot of money which they can use to offer customers better deals and, by the end of the month, this pot runs dry. By calling up early in the month, you'll be catching them when they have more money to play with.

Again, we're not entirely convinced with this one, but you've quite literally got nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying!

10. Go online for the best phone contract deals

If you've ever been a mobile phone shop on the high street, it's likely that you've been targeted by commission-hungry sales staff.

Shopping online can relieve you of any pressure to make quick (and sometimes wrong) decisions, and there are plenty of helpful websites out there to point you in the right direction (including Save the Student, of course!).

Occasionally our student deals page will have phone contract deals to check out too, so be sure to have a peek.

11. Use mobile phone comparison tools

As with pretty much anything you can buy online, there are comparison sites out there to help you try and find the best deal.

Of course, you can easily do your own research - and we would highly recommend doing that as well, since not all networks will appear on comparison sites. But there's no harm in paying a visit to comparison sites to see what they have to offer.

Luckily, we also have our own mobile phone contract comparison tool for you to try - make sure you give it a look before you head anywhere else!

12. Use apps that reduce your phone bill

This doesn't strictly apply to finding the best contract, but there are loads of apps out there that help you reduce the texts, minutes or data you use, meaning you could potentially commit to a smaller contract.

Look out for O2 WiFi hotspots when you're out and about to cut down your data usage (even if you're not with O2). Or, if you're on BT Mobile or have BT broadband at home (we have some great deals here), the BT WiFi app does the same.

Then there's Airtime Rewards. This app which works similar to a cashback app, except the money you earn from making purchases gets knocked off your phone bill each month instead.

The app features loads of popular shops including Boots, Caffè Nero and Waitrose, and unlike online cashback, you don't need to do anything other than shop with the card you've registered.

13. Go with smaller phone networks

The mobile phone sector is filled with big players, but don't be afraid to step outside of these and go for a smaller network. GiffGaff offers some great contract deals with the added benefit of not getting locked in, which can be good for students.

The likes of iD Mobile (owned by Carphone Warehouse), VOXI, Plusnet, Smarty and even established brands like Superdrug are also getting in on the act with some great deals.

Best of all, these new networks almost always piggyback onto the service offered by one of the major players, so you know you'll have some half-decent coverage (Superdrug, for example, uses Three's network).

14. Look out for network-exclusive deals and freebies

You've probably heard of O2 Priority, but did you know that it's not the only network offering exclusive deals to its customers?

Vodafone has waded in with VeryMe, which offers things like free coffees and festival ticket discounts.

Beyond this, you can sometimes get a 'freebie' thrown in when you take out your contract.

Sometimes the 'freebies' are genuinely high-value goods, like a PS4, but beware: often the contract will be disproportionately overpriced for what the phone and minutes/data/texts are. In other words, you could end up paying for the 'freebie' through your inflated contract.

And, as ever, check out our deals section for all the latest deals from O2 Priority, VeryMe and everywhere else.

If you're going for an upgrade, find out how much money you can get for selling your old mobile phone!

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14 ways to get the best mobile phone contract

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There are so many networks and contracts to choose from these days, how do you know if you're getting the best mobile phone deal? We'll show you the ropes. With so many different elements to consider with your phone contract - minutes, data, overseas charges and more - it's hard to know where to start.

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Where does my money come from?/ O ble gallai'r arian yma ddod?

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Where does my money come from?/ O ble gallai'r arian yma ddod?

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Where does my money go?/ Ble mae fy arian i'n mynd?

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Where does my money go?/ Ble mae fy arian i'n mynd?

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Overview and content list for rent arrears. Get help and advice on dealing with rent arrears, eviction and what to do if you’re taken to court.

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It costs £157.50 for a colour and £53 for a black and white TV Licence. In some cases, you may be entitled to a reduced fee TV Licence (see table below).

You can pay for your licence all in one go or spread the cost.

Aged 74 and over

If you are aged 74 or over, you could be entitled to a free licence. Anyone aged 75 or over receiving Pension Credit is eligible to apply for a free TV Licence, paid for by the BBC. Pension Credit can be in the name of the licence holder, or in their partner's name if they are a couple.

Care home residents

Residents may qualify for a discounted TV Licence fee of £7.50. Residents, staff and residents' families all need a separate licence for their own living area.

Blind (severely sight impaired)?

You're entitled to a 50% reduction in your TV Licence fee if you're blind (severely sight impaired).

Some businesses can apply for a TV Licence to cover a number of accommodation or mobile units (for hotels, hostels, mobile units and campsites), or entertainment units (for hospitality areas). For more information, visit the pages below:

Hotels, hostels, mobile units and campsites

Hospitality areas

The licence fee will be based on the number of units offered where a TV receiver is installed or used.

To cover up to 15 units

You only need to pay one fee of £157.50.

To cover more than 15 units

You pay one fee for the first 15 units and an additional fee of £157.50 for every extra 5 units or fewer.

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It costs £157.50 for a colour and £53 for a black and white TV Licence. In some cases, you may be entitled to a reduced fee TV Licence (see table below). You can pay for your licence all in one go or spread the cost.

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It is a good idea to take out home contents insurance to cover your possessions against fire, theft and other risks, such as accidental damage. If something happens to destroy or damage your possessions, it can cost a lot of money to replace them items, some of which may be essential.

This page tells you what you can expect home contents insurance to cover, how to choose a policy and what problems you might have with making an insurance claim.

Top tips

If you download music and films onto your computer, mobile phone, iPod or mp3 player, many home contents policies offer download insurance as an add-on.

This insurance protects you against the cost of replacing your downloads if they're damaged, lost or stolen.

However, you won't be covered if the loss is caused by a computer virus or hardware failure so make sure you've got up-to-date anti-virus protection.

What is home contents insurance

Home contents insurance covers you against loss, theft or damage to your personal and home possessions. It can also cover you if you take items out of the home, on holiday, for example.

The insurance covers your own possessions and those of close family members living with you. It may not cover the possessions of anyone staying with you temporarily.

You don't have to take out home contents insurance. However, it's a good idea to do so because if any of your contents are lost, stolen or damaged you will have to pay to replace them.

What should your policy cover

Your policy should cover damage caused by fire, flooding, storms and theft. You may have to pay extra to cover accidental loss or damage to your possessions. This may be worth considering is you have children or pets. However, check what's included.

You will also have to pay extra to cover possessions that you take out of the home, for example, cameras or jewellery, or to cover a particularly valuable item. Your policy may not cover the contents of a freezer or a mobile phone and there may be an upper limit for a single item.

Most policies carry an excess. This means that you won't be covered for the first few pounds of a claim. A typical excess may be between £50 and £100.

Most policies offer new for old cover. This means you get the full replacement cost of items that are lost, stolen or damaged. However, some policies will only offer you the amount that your items are currently worth if you need to make a claim. Make sure you know what your policy is offering to replace before you take it out.

Home contents insurance can also pay a lump sum if you die from a fire, theft or accident at home. It can also cover you if someone is injured or dies when visiting you.

Home contents insurance if you're renting

If you are a tenant, check to see whether you are responsible for insuring any contents belonging to your landlord because you may be liable for replacing any items that are lost or damaged. If you rent an item, for example, a television, check whether you need to insure this.

Taking out a home contents policy

Before you take out a policy you need to work out how much cover you need, based on the cost of replacing all your possessions. Many people under-insure themselves, so make sure you include everything, including carpets or flooring and the contents of your garage or shed. You may want to get several quotes before choosing a policy.

Sum-insured and bedroom rated policies

Home contents insurance policies are usually worked either on the number of rooms in your house. These are known as bedroom rated polices. Alternatively, they may be based on the total value of the contents and possessions you own. These are called sum-insured policies.

Premiums can be higher if you take out a policy worked out on the number of rooms but they may offer more cover.

You will need to compare:

what each policy covers and what the exclusions are

the premium you have to pay

the amount of any excess that you will have to pay yourself

the no claims bonus which increases yearly if you don't make a claim

any additional conditions, for example, about leaving your home unoccupied for a long period.

You must give your insurer as much information as you can about anything that might affect their decision to insure you, or how much to charge you. You must also tell them about any changes in your circumstances.

Problems with home contents insurance claims

If you are underinsured your insurer may only pay a proportion of your claim

There may be a limit on what you can claim for a single item and you may have to pay an excess

If you didn't take out a new for old policy, you will not be covered for fair wear and tear to an item

Your policy may say that your insurer can provide a replacement item rather than the money to replace it

If one item in a set is damaged, for example, one chair in a set, you may not be able to find a matching replacement. If this happens your insurer should pay for the damaged item and an amount towards replacing the undamaged items.

Next steps

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It is a good idea to take out home contents insurance to cover your possessions against fire, theft and other risks, such as accidental damage. If something happens to destroy or damage your possessions, it can cost a lot of money to replace them items, some of which may be essential.

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Shop around/ Cymharu prisiau a gwasanaeth

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Shop around/ Cymharu prisiau a gwasanaeth

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Get help paying your bill/ Cymorth i Dalu’ch Bil

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Get help paying your bill/ Cymorth i Dalu’ch Bil

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Get help paying your bill | Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

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If you are having trouble affording to pay your water bill, we have a number of ways that can make it easier to pay.

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Although rain falls freely from the sky, we've been lucky enough recently to experience some dry spells. At Welsh Water we put a lot of work, energy and love into ensuring you get a safe, clean and fresh water supply direct to your taps.

Our teams are also working seven days a week, and often overnight, fixing leaks as soon as we find them.

But getting water through our pipes fast enough is a real challenge in some areas and this is often worse at peak demand times - usually in the evenings and at weekends.

By using all the water you need, but being careful not to waste it, you can really help make a big difference.

Here are some of the small changes you could make:

Saving water in the bathroom

Take a shower and reduce the number of baths you have

Put the plug in the basin when you wash and use the collected water instead

Don't leave the tap running when brushing your teeth

Always make sure taps are turned off fully

Fix a water efficient shower head, available from our Product Portal

Fix any leaking taps to avoid wasted water

If you are installing a new bathroom, always choose water efficient products

Saving water in the kitchen

Use a washing up bowl when washing up

Fix any leaking taps

Wait until you have a full load before doing your washing

Only fill the kettle with the water you need

If you are purchasing a new appliance which uses water, be sure to check how water efficient it is

Saving water in the garden

Use a watering can or handheld hose pipe instead of a garden sprinkler

Fit a hose trigger gun when using a hose, available from our Product store

A water butt is a great way to collect rainwater for use in the garden - available from our Product store

Add water retention crystals to pots, tubs and hanging baskets to help keep compost moist, available here on our Product store

Don't cut lawns too short and save the clippings to use as mulch to improve soil health

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Water saving tips for households | Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

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Although rain falls freely from the sky, we've been lucky enough recently to experience some dry spells. At Welsh Water we put a lot of work, energy and love into ensuring you get a safe, clean and fresh water supply direct to your taps.

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Struggling to pay your bill?/ Cael trafferth talu dy fil?

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Struggling to pay your bill?/ Cael trafferth talu dy fil?

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If you're struggling to afford your gas and electricity bills, contact your supplier to discuss ways to pay what you owe them.

Your supplier has to help you come to a solution. You should try to negotiate a deal that works for both of you.

If you don't try to negotiate with your supplier, they might threaten to disconnect you. Check what to do if you've been told your energy supply will be disconnected.

If you've missed payments because of coronavirus, you should explain this to your supplier. They might agree not to disconnect you. For example, tell them if your income has been affected by long-term symptoms.

If your supplier doesn't disconnect you, you should still arrange to pay what you owe them. This protects you from being disconnected in the future.

Find out how to contact your supplier about a problem.

This page can help you if you pay for your energy after you use it - for example by monthly direct debit or quarterly bill. There are different things you should do if you can't afford to top up your prepayment meter.

Agree a payment plan with your supplier

Tell your supplier that you want to pay off your debts in instalments as part of a payment plan.

You'll pay fixed amounts over a set period of time, meaning you'll pay what you can afford. The payment plan will cover what you owe plus an amount for your current use.

Your supplier must take into account:

how much you can afford to pay - give them details about your income and outgoings, debts and personal circumstances

how much energy you'll use in future - they'll estimate this based on your past usage, but give them regular meter readings to make this more accurate

If you're not sure how much you can afford to pay, use our budgeting tool to help you.

If you can't afford the payment plan

Speak to your supplier again if you think they're charging you too much or you're struggling to afford the repayments. You can try to negotiate a better deal. If you don't, your supplier might make you have a prepayment meter installed.

Pay off your debt through your benefits

You might be able to repay your debt directly from your benefits through the Fuel Direct Scheme.

A fixed amount will automatically be taken from your benefits to cover what you owe. If you agree, they might take an extra amount for your current use.

It can be more convenient than having a prepayment meter fitted (which your supplier might try to do if you can't agree a payment plan) and you won't risk running out of gas or electricity.

To be eligible, you must be getting one of the following benefits:

If you're getting Universal Credit and you're working, you're only eligible for the Fuel Direct Scheme if your earnings are less than your 'work allowance'. If you're not sure, contact the Jobcentre.

Apply for the Fuel Direct Scheme

If you get Pension Credit, contact the Pension Service. If you get another benefit contact the Jobcentre. Tell them you want to set up Fuel Direct. They'll contact your supplier and tell them you want to pay off your debt under the Fuel Direct Scheme - your supplier must agree to it.

Your supplier will set up the repayments and let you know how much you'll be paying.

Pay for your gas and electricity bills through benefits

If you're already paying off energy debts through your benefits, you can also ask to start paying your energy bills directly from your benefits.

Contact your energy supplier to set this up for you. You'll need to:

submit a meter reading to make sure you get an accurate bill

give them your consent - either on the phone or in writing

agree on an amount that covers the cost of the energy you use

Your supplier can ask you to start paying for your energy bills through your benefits. You have to agree before any payments can be taken.

If you're already paying through your benefits your supplier can ask you to increase the amount. You have to agree before the amount can be changed.

If you can afford to increase the payments from your benefits, it can help you avoid getting into more debt. If you do get into more debt, your supplier could make you have a prepayment meter installed.

If you don't come to an agreement

If you're not able to agree a payment plan with your supplier, or you don't stick to a plan you previously agreed to, your supplier might try to force you to have a prepayment meter installed.

In very rare cases your supplier might threaten you with disconnection.

Check if you can get a grant to help pay off your energy debt

If you're in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant to help pay it off.

The following energy suppliers offer grants to their customers:

If your supplier isn't listed it's a good idea to contact them directly to see what extra support they can give you.

If you can't get a grant from your supplier, you might be able to get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust. These grants are available to anyone - you don't have to be a British Gas customer.

You'll need to get debt advice before applying.

If you've already spoken to a debt adviser, check if you can get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust.

Before you apply

When you apply for a grant, you'll have to provide detailed information about your financial situation in your application. It could take a while to complete, and it might be worth getting help from a friend or family member.
Talk to an adviser
if you need for help filling in forms.

It's worth checking on the trust or fund website if there's anything else you need to do before you apply.

For example, if your supplier is E.ON Next or EDF you'll need to show you've completed a budget sheet with a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approved adviser. To do this:

1. Find an adviser using the debt advice locator on the Money Helper website

2. Check if the adviser or their firm is on the FCA register

3. Contact the adviser to arrange a conversation where you'll complete a budget sheet

You can get ready for your conversation by using the Budget Planner on the Money Helper website.

Further help

If you can't come to an agreement with your supplier about repaying your debt, or you're not happy with the option they've given you, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline for advice.

If you're struggling with debt problems, check how to get help with debt.

If you need somewhere to stay warm

You can ask your local council if they have information about nearby 'warm spaces'. These are public places that anyone can use to stay warm - for example a community space like a library.

You can find out how to contact your local council on GOV.UK.

If you're struggling with living costs

If you're struggling with money, there are things you can do to save on your regular living costs. Check what to do if you need help with living costs.

If you're finding it hard to pay your bills, you can get help. Find out more about getting help with your bills.

You can also get help with debts.

If you're struggling to pay for food, find out how to get help from a food bank.

If you're finding things difficult

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. You should talk to your GP if your money problems are affecting your mental health.

You can find other ways to get help with your mental health on the Mind website.

If you need to speak to someone

You can speak to a trained volunteer at organisations like Samaritans or Shout.

Samaritans

Helpline: 116 123 (Monday to Sunday at any time)

Welsh Language Line: 0808 164 0123 (Monday to Sunday 7pm to 11pm)

Calls to Samaritans are free.

You can find other ways to get in touch with Samaritans on their website.

Shout

You can also text 'SHOUT' to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained Shout 85258 volunteer. Texts are free, anonymous and confidential from anywhere in the UK.

If you think it's an emergency

If you think your life or someone else's is at risk, you should call 999 or go to A&E if you can.

You can also find a list of urgent mental health services on the Mind website.

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Get help if you're behind with your energy bills

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Find out what to do if you're having problems paying your energy bills or you're in debt to your supplier

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Roasted, boiled, scrambled, raw, seasoned. So many types. Yum.

Back in the day, we all had to struggle through the tedious, patience-sapping ways of dial-up internet. The modem, which usually looked like a plastic prop from Red Dwarf, would find an internet connection using your phone, and then painstakingly load web pages as if the thing was being paid hourly.

So, moving on from dial-up, as we don't really wish to further retread such sensitive ground, we take a quick look at the different available types of broadband.

ADSL

Shortened to ADSL because it makes everyone's lives much easier, Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line became the dominant type of internet connection after dial-up drove everyone insane. It is far more effective at downloading that uploading, so this suits the casual customer.

It is available to 99% of the UK, and transfers data using the copper phone line, without interfering with voice call frequencies. This is why, unlike dial-up, you can still have the phone in use. The speed experienced by an ADSL user can vary dramatically, and whilst there are maximum speeds available, they can also be unachievable. This might seem a little odd, but the fact is that external factors like distance from the exchange and local web traffic will affect your broadband speed, and this is out of the control of your broadband provider.

Fibre

Fibre-optic broadband uses glass fibres instead of the copper lines, and this advanced technology allows for significantly faster data transfer. With ADSL you could see speeds peak at 8Mbps, whilst with fibre you might be looking at ten times that figure. The exact speed available to you depends on your package, with providers offering different deals for fibre. Even the smallest fibre deal could deliver speeds of up to 30Mbps, whilst the top packages boast 80-100Mps.

Without trying to complicate things, you'll find that most fibre providers revert back to the copper lines for carrying the broadband between the street's cabinet and your house - the home straight. So you still have fibre broadband, except for that last bit. This means that distance from the cabinet, local web traffic and other external factors can still affect your speed, but your average speed should still be significantly faster than ADSL.

Cable

With Virgin Media, coaxial cables are used for the home straight, and this means that distance from the cabinet is not an issue. Consistency and speed both benefit from the use of cable running right to your home, instead of copper lines.

Wireless

You can set up wireless broadband in your home, as long as you have a fixed broadband connection in place and a wireless router. You would usually do the set-up yourself as it's pretty easy and self-explanatory, and your laptop or computer will probably have some kind of set-up assistance software.

You can connect multiple devices to the network, as long as they are in range, but an increasing number of devices can slow the connection speeds.

Satellite

Satellite broadband is an alternative option, although there are few providers offering the service. The name is a giveaway regarding how the broadband is operated; essentially you need to be able to see the sky. Limited take-up is hardly a mystery - the high prices for satellite broadband are eye-watering, and you can't get near the superfast download speeds available through fibre.

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Roasted, boiled, scrambled, raw, seasoned. So many types. Yum. Back in the day, we all had to struggle through the tedious, patience-sapping ways of dial-up internet. The modem, which usually looked like a plastic prop from Red Dwarf, would find an internet connection using your phone, and then painstakingly load web pages as if the thing was being paid hourly.

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StepChange Debt Charity. Free Expert Debt Help & Advice

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Get free, impartial, and confidential debt advice with StepChange. Available 24/7, our online service helps you understand your debts, set a budget, and find the best solution for your needs. Get expert support and guidance at your own pace. Start today and ease the pressure.

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How to use less energy/ Sut i ddefnyddio llai o ynni

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How to use less energy/ Sut i ddefnyddio llai o ynni

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We can run workshops for young people on any of the topic areas covered in our resources.

In the one-to-one workshops we are able to go into more depth on an issue, providing guidance based on the individual's needs.

For more information contact Bethan Wilson, Development Officer at bethan.wilson@childreninwales.org.uk

Gallwn ni gynnal gweithdai i bobl ifanc ar unrhyw rai o’r meysydd pwnc sy’n cael sylw yn ein hadnoddau.

Yn y gweithdai un-i-un byddwn ni’n gallu edrych yn fanylach ar rywbeth, a rhoi arweiniad ar sail anghenion yr unigolyn.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â Bethan Wilson, Swyddog Datblygu, Plant yng Nghymru. bethan.wilson@childreninwales.org.uk

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We're sorry but Cheap Energy Club - Compare Energy Deals - MSE doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please enable it to continue. >

"Take control of your gas and electricity bill and save large. Do a comparison yourself, or try our unique Pick Me A Tariff tools. Select your priorities and we'll pick a tariff that suits YOU from across the whole of the market, then each year we'll keep switching you to YOUR best deal if you want."

- MSE founder Martin Lewis

PICK ME A TARIFF EVERY YEAR

Help me pick a tariff AND one-click switch me yearly

Here we will, for free...

Compare the whole market for you

Select the top tariffs for you based on your priorities

Annually switch you to your top tariff - just approve with a click

Get started

Pick Me A Tariff Every Year is not available if you have a prepayment meter

Help me pick a tariff

Here we will, for free...

Compare the whole market for you

Select the top tariffs for you based on your priorities

Get started

Pick Me A Tariff Every Year is not available if you have a prepayment meter

Join the 4,769,718 Cheap Energy Club members

How it works

Pick Me A Tariff Every Year Pick Me a Tariff DIY comparison

Register for Cheap Energy Club. We just need a few details to get started.

Select your preferences - green energy, fixed, name you know, service etc, and we'll find your top deals based on this.

You pick from your top deals and then switch.

We'll just need a few more details to set up Pick Me A Tariff Every Year, such as when you want to switch again.

When it's time to switch you, we'll email you with your top deal based on your preferences. If you're happy, approve with a click and we'll do the rest.

Register for Cheap Energy Club. We just need a few details to get started.

Select your preferences - green energy, fixed, name you know, service etc, and we'll find your top deals based on this.

You pick from your top deals and then switch.

We'll constantly monitor the market and let you know if you can save by switching again, based on your preferences.

Register for Cheap Energy Club. We just need a few details to get started.

We'll do a full market energy comparison so you can see how much you can save.

You pick the deal you want and then switch.

We'll constantly monitor the market and let you know if you can save by switching again.

Get started

Got questions?

Will you only show me deals that make you money?

We will always compare and show you the whole of market, even if it doesn't make us money. But we won't be able to switch you to a provider we don't have a relationship with.

What do I need to join?

All you need is a recent energy bill, so you know how much energy you're currently using for an accurate comparison. But don't worry if you don't have one handy - we can help you estimate, though savings won't be as accurate.

Why are we doing this?

For a very simple reason. We've been shouting when to switch energy (and when not to) forever. Yet you tell us it's complicated and a hassle!

So you've inspired us to build a tool that strips the effort out. We'll hold your hand throughout the process and make sure you're ALWAYS on the best tariff.

Who do I contact if something goes wrong?

You should contact the supplier first of all. When switching, it's the new supplier that will handle any issues. For anything else, it's your current provider.

If you're struggling to get a switching issue resolved, get in touch and we may be able to help.

Is this free?

Yes. Cheap Energy Club is completely free to use, whether you just want to do a full comparison, or use our Pick Me A Tariff tools.

Do we make money from this?

Some suppliers pay comparison sites for switches. We give roughly half what we're paid to YOU as cashback. The other half pays to keep the site running.

See all FAQs

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Cheap Energy Club - Compare Energy Deals - MSE

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We're sorry but Cheap Energy Club - Compare Energy Deals - MSE doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please enable it to continue. > "Take control of your gas and electricity bill and save large. Do a comparison yourself, or try our unique Pick Me A Tariff tools.

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Please Rotate Your Device

Helping homes in fuel crisis.

Prepaying for energy but not having the money to do so means living without heat and light. We provide people with the financial support and practical advice that they need to get back on their feet.

Find out more

Prepaying for energy but not having the money to do so means living without heat and light. We provide people with the financial support and practical advice that they need to get back on their feet.

Find out more

It's hard to believe that some people in the UK are today living without heat, light and power. This is because they don't have money to top up their prepayment meter. These people live in cold homes and are unable to cook a hot meal for their family, or have a shower before a job interview. It's only getting worse. We call this Fuel Crisis.

of people supported had to choose between heating or eating

of people supported were rationing heating and hot water at least once a week

of people supported were struggling to pay other household bills

HOW WE HAVE HELPED

After 6 years, we have a UK network of over 200 partners - many are located at the heart of their communities. We rely on them to identify people who are really struggling to cope. These are people who have fallen through every other safety net, so we provide them with some breathing space by giving approximately two week's worth of fuel.

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We work with selected foodbanks and advice agencies to provide people with the breathing space they need to get back on their feet.

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Get help with housing costs / Cymorth gyda chostau tai

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Get help with housing costs / Cymorth gyda chostau tai

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Financial support and advice to help you with your housing costs.

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Get help with the cost of renting privately/ Cael help gyda chost rhentu'n breifat

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Get help with the cost of renting privately/ Cael help gyda chost rhentu'n breifat

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You might be able to get benefits or grants to help you with the cost of renting from a private landlord or through a letting agent.

It's important to work out what you'll need to pay before you move in, so you'll know if you can afford to rent the property.

Read more about how much it costs to rent.

You'll also need to budget for your rent and regular bills - for example gas, electricity and council tax. You can use a budgeting tool to help you work out how much money you'll need to pay your bills.

Help paying your rent deposit

It can be difficult to save up for a deposit, particularly if you're on a low income.

Your local council might be able to cover the cost of your deposit through a rent deposit scheme or rent guarantee scheme.

A rent deposit scheme lends you money in advance for a deposit, which you'll pay back over time.

A rent guarantee scheme (or bond scheme) gives your landlord a written guarantee - known as a bond - instead of a cash deposit. If you have problems paying your deposit, the scheme provider will use the bond to pay your landlord - this means you don't have to pay the deposit yourself.

You might have to repay the scheme provider any money paid out through the bond.

You might also be able to get a deposit through a homelessness prevention fund or social services. You might need to pay the money back over time - every council has different rules.

You can get more information from your local council - find your local council on GOV.UK.

Check if you can get Universal Credit for housing costs

You might be able to get extra money to help you pay your rent. Lots of people miss out on benefits they're entitled to - so it's worth checking what you can get.

You might be able to get Universal Credit for housing costs if all the following apply:

Check if you can get Universal Credit.

In some situations you'll have to claim Housing Benefit instead of Universal Credit. This applies if:

you, and your partner if you've got one, have reached State Pension age - check your state pension age on GOV.UK

you or your partner has been getting Pension Credit since before 15 May 2019

you live in temporary accommodation

your landlord's a county council, registered charity, voluntary organisation or housing association and they give you care or support

you get accommodation from a county council, registered charity, voluntary organisation or housing association because you need care or support

You can check if you can get Housing Benefit.

If you already get benefits

You might be able to get extra money if you're already claiming benefits. The extra money you could get depends on what benefits you're claiming.

You might be able to get a budgeting loan if you're getting:

A budgeting loan can help you pay:

You'll need to repay the loan. Read more about budgeting loans on GOV.UK.

If your benefits don't pay all your rent

If Housing Benefit or Universal Credit doesn't cover all your rent and you need more money, you could make a claim for a discretionary housing payment (DHP). A DHP is extra money from your local council to help pay your rent.

You need to claim Housing Benefit or the housing costs part of Universal Credit to get a DHP. You can ask your local council for a claim form.

It's a good idea to keep a copy of the form for your records.

Your local council doesn't have to give you a DHP - it depends on your circumstances. If you can't pay your rent and you can't get a DHP, you should talk to your landlord as soon as possible. Read more about getting help with rent arrears.

Talk to an adviser if you need help filling in a DHP claim form.

Using a guarantor

You might be able to get a landlord to accept you if you have a guarantor. A guarantor is someone who will agree to pay your rent if you can't, for example if you lose your job.

Getting a council tax reduction

You might be able to pay less council tax by claiming 'council tax reduction'.

You could get a council tax reduction if you:

have a low income or get benefits

have less than £16,000 in savings

live in the property you want to pay less council tax for

are responsible for paying council tax

You might be able to pay less council tax even if you're not on a low income or getting benefits. This is called a council tax discount. You can apply if you live on your own or are the only adult in your home. Read more about council tax discount on GOV.UK.

You might not have to pay any council tax, for example if:
Check if you can pay less council tax.
Other help and support you can get

You might be able to get other benefits to help with your renting costs if you're on a low income. Check what benefits you can get.

Talk to an adviser to find out if any charities in your area can help with your renting costs.

Next steps

Get help with rent arrears.

Page last reviewed on 01 December 2022

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Get help with the cost of renting privately

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Check if you can get help to pay your rent or council tax. Check if you can get Universal Credit for housing costs or a council tax reduction.

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Remember to check your lease as it may state a specific payment method!

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United Welsh offers a variety of ways for tenants to pay their rent. Read the options here.