Martin Lewis gives his energy bill advice as he warns of ‘unaffordable’ price hikes

Martin Lewis has warned that energy bills could rise by 50% in April but has given his advice on what consumers should do to keep prices as low as possible.

The consumer expert told his ITV Money Show on Thursday (6 January) that “unaffordable” price hikes were coming because there will be a review of the energy price cap in the spring.

Lewis warns energy price cap ‘will rise 50%’

Lewis warned that the price cap “will rise 50%, adding an unaffordable £600 to the total bill."

Other energy experts agree that prices will rise by around that percentage.

Cornwall Insights suggested bills could rise by 46% while Emma Pinchbeck, Energy UK chief executive, said: “Domestic energy prices are going to go up 45% to 50% in the spring".

A rise of 50% would see the cap hit around £1,916.

What is the energy price cap?

Energy regulator Ofgem sets a cap on the amount firms can charge consumers for their gas and electricity.

The current cap is £1,277 a year for customers on default tariffs and £1,309 for those on pre-payment deals.