Martin Lewis' warning to anybody who uses direct debit to pay their energy bills

If you're earning £30,000 or less a year, then you could be entitled to extra money, says expert Martin Lewis. Martin says households who have an overall income of less than £30,000 could be on track for monetary help from the government. You'll have to go online for around 10 minutes to see if you're eligible and there's no time like the present, given the rise in energy prices recently.

Loose Women star Stacey Solomon has admitted she has also been impacted by rising energy prices as the price cap increase was implemented on Friday April 1. Stacey, 32, revealed that her "bills had gone up ridiculously" prompting her to implement some changes to her routine in an effort to cut costs.The down-to-earth star shared her daily routine with fans in a series of videos which she shared via Instagram. She revealed that she had started using her washing machine during ‘off peak' hours and was hanging her washing out to dry rather than using her tumble dryer.

With hundreds of customers struggling to update their latest meter readings before the energy price cap price increased today, Shell Energy customers have taken to social media to raise concerns that their readings will be counted as at the higher rate. The firm's website was down at various points across the day yesterday, as thousands of people took Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis' advice to update their supplier with their usage on the day dubbed #MeterReadingDay.

Martin Lewis has been the name on everyone's lips this week.

Submitting meter readings, normally a straightforward task, became a dilemma after several energy websites crashed.

Martin Lewis issued a stark warning to energy consumers to provide their meter readings to firms urgently, before planned price hikes took effect. However, in a scathing tweet of their own, E.ON blamed Martin for panicking customers, causing "unprecedented demand" and ultimately "bringing down Britain".Yet the consumer rights campaigner laughed off his newfound infamy, suggesting that the firm had merely used his name with the digital equivalent of a "wry smile".He had originally urged the nation to share his tweet of warning, noting that "Thurs 31 Mar is energy #MeterReadingDay".He then offered some precautionary advice to consumers "so firms can't assign some of your current usage to April when rates are c54% higher".He suggested: "Not smart meter? Send a reading (later in the day the better) - Smart or prepay meter? Just take a meter pic for safety (in case of dispute)."He called for the regulator to investigate the issue, pointing out: "I'm getting many many reports of people struggling to submit meter readings."The volume isn't unexpected.

Martin Lewis is urging people ‘not to panic’ if they are unable to submit their energy meter readings today.

Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis has warned people not to break the law ahead of gas and electric bill increases after fans questioned him about their meter readings. From April 1 households all across the UK will see a sharp increase in their energy bills, but there are ways to mitigate the sharp costs.

Two supermarket giants - Aldi and Tesco - have both sent out an urgent warning to people who have bought their fruit and veg.

Energy regulator Ofgem has issued advice to consumers who are experiencing issues with submitting their meter readings. It comes just a day before energy bills are set to skyrocket due to an increase in the energy cap for suppliers.

A finance savvy mum discovered she could make savings of £912 per month to help deal with increasing energy prices. Lynn Beattie, who runs the Mrs Mummypenny finance blog, gave the tip on her blog which is full of practical money-saving advice. From tomorrow, energy prices will increase by around 50% across the board affecting every user in the UK.

Martin Lewis' frustration was clear to see as he appeared on This Morning on Thursday. It comes after a heavy TV and radio presence from the Money Saving Expert founder ahead of energy prices rocketing on Friday (April 1).

Martin Lewis has been urging every energy customer across Scotland and the rest of the UK to take meter readings ahead of Ofgem’s energy price hike coming into force on Friday, April 1.

Energy company E.On has blamed the Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis for the industry-wide website crashes that are occurring ahead of the energy price cap increase tomorrow. E.On's said on Twitter that 'Martin has once again created unprecedented demand bringing down Britain'.'

Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard paid tribute to Tom Parker after his death was announced by his heartbroken wife. Kelsey Parker confirmed on Wednesday (March 30) that her The Wanted star husband had died, aged 33, a year and a half after telling fans he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Energy providers are struggling to keep up with the demand from Scots eager to log meter readings ahead of a 54% rise in the energy price cap.

Martin Lewis showcased his frustrations as he thumped the desk in front of him while raging about the energy increase crisis in the UK on This Morning.The money saving expert, 49, explained to ITV hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on Thursday's episode that the average household could expect to shell out an additional £700 per year to fund rising energy costs.He warned that fees were also expected to go up by another 25 percent in October 2022 - which would leave families struggling to heat their homes in the winter months.The finance guru became frustrated that he "didn't have the answers", telling the programme's presenters that he often felt as though he had been hitting his head against a brick wall.During his lengthy rant, Martin slammed his hand down on the desk, indicating his frustration at the ongoing situation.Martin explained: "So we know it's going up in October, the exact rate we don't know."And what I really want them to do [government] because you have to look at the mental health as well as well as the physical health."He added: "If people don't have enough money to eat or to heat their homes that is a real problem but equally the panic and anxiety, I would challenge any politician to have my mail back."It is desperate, I sit with my head in my hands at my desk time and time again and I read a message in frustration that I don't have an answer"The money saving expert added: "Because when you're on the lowest income the help out there is not enough, there is no way to balance your books."I've talked to the chief executive of Citizens Advice and we had a moan fest together saying 'all these tools we've got are predicated on people being able to reduce their expenditure below their income' but

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned that people can now lose their PIP for going on holiday.

As energy bills are set to soar even further as the cost of living crisis continues to pinch it can feel daunting to consider the arrival of your next bill. Next month, energy prices will increase by around 50% across the board affecting every user in the UK. Most energy firms are increasing their standard tariffs to the maximum allowed by the Ofgem price cap - £1,971 - from April 1.

Money Saving Expert has warned people need to do three important things before energy prices skyrocket on Friday.

Martin Lewis is well-known for his helpful money-saving tips, with the TV star having helped millions of people cut back on their household expenses over the years. The 49 year old financial journalist offers free advice on a wide range of topics, including household bills, mortgages and insurance, and has most recently been outlining tips to help people ahead of next month's energy price increase. Martin, who recently urged the public to make five simple changes in order to save money, boasts an impressive net worth thanks to his successful career.