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I CLITHEROEADVERTISERSi TIMES


www.clitheroeadv8rtiser.co.uk Thursday,August6,2015


Great advice on gas and electric By Julie Magee


julie.magee@jpress.Co.uk Twitter: @clithavdertiser


Isthecost of gas and electric­ ity causingyouaheadache?If so advice isavailable at Ribble Valley Citizens Advice Bureau.


As the cost of heating hits the roof, people are struggling says Ribble Valley CAB man­ ager Katy Marshall. ,


' Here she tries to answer


some questions: Canwegetcheapergasand -


electric? We can tell you about us­


ing the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you are entitled be­ cause your household income is limited. You may be able to get cheaper energy. Different suppliers have


different rules on “social tar­ iff" entitlement, we can tell you how to find out or we can help you to apply if you wish. The energy


sumers to compare and find the best deals.


■ Complex deals like charg- inghighratesforenergywhich then fall as more is used will no longer be allowed. Energy firms must struc­


ture their tariffs in two tiers, as a single unit rate and a - standing charge. : The unit rate is the cost for


each unit of electricity or gas, the standing charge is a fixed amount and is a way to recov- - ,er the costs of getting the gas and electricity to your home.: Suppliers will be allowed to set their standing charge at zero. Lower standing charges


can benefit people who do not use a lot of gas or electricity, higher standing charges ben­ efit people who use more.- .... We expect that suppliers


companies say that they want to make life:' easier for peo-- ple who find it hardest to pay. We will help you look on the internet ■ ” ** or ask them by phone.' A ban on complex tariffs is


now in force to help consum­ ers get the best deals claims the energy regulator. In the biggest shake up to


the market since competi­ tion was introduced in the late nineties, the reforms aim to make the energy market sim­ pler, clearer and fairer. ... Households who have nev­


er switched could save more than £200 peryear. . . ; Suppliers can now only of­


fer customers a maximum of four tariffs for gas and four for electricity. These chang­ es make it far easier for con­


R ib b le V a lle y


will offer different combina­ tions, so shop around to • make sure you get the • best deal for you. Customers on


citizens


advice bureau


fixed term deals will remain on that tariff until it finishes - in­ creasing those •p r ice s during the contract pe­ riod is now banned


and automatically rolling


householders on to another fixed-term offer will no long­ er be allowed. At this end point, suppli­


ers should automatically put you on the cheapest standard tariff available and it’s worth shoppingaroundtocheckthis is the best deal. If you have a standard tar­


iff, which is a continuing deal that doesn’t have a fixed end date, you will be contacted by ■ your supplier if the terms and conditions are changing. If the tariff is withdrawn you will be moved to their cheapest equiv­ alent by the summer.


Clitheroe's Citizens Advice Bureau. This is also the case for


special tariffs, for example deals for pensioners, though your supplier may choose to retain this as one of their four tariffs. • Wecanalsohelpyouphone


the Homeheat Helpline to get the best advice about saving energy.


My energy supplier has an­ nounced price rises. I want to find out if I can get a better deal elsewhere, but I don’t know where to start? If your energy prices have


shot up, you can find out if you can get a cheaper deal else­ where by switching supplier.


i You can use a price compari­ son site approved by Ofgem, or get help from your local Citi­ zens Advice Bureau. Energysuppliersmustgive


you at least 30 days notice of any price increases, so act fast to make changes before the in­ creases come in. If you decide to switch


suppliers, you need start the switching process within 20 days of being told about a price increase, that way your exist­ ing supplier can’t enforce the price rise.' Under new rules, if you’re


on a fixed term contract and it’s coming to an end, your sup­ plier must tell you between 42


and 49 days beforehand so, if you want to, you can switch suppliers during this time without any penalties. And if you are on a fixed


term contract signed on or af­ ter July 15th 2013, suppliers can’t increase prices, unless the price increase was agreed in advance, for example with a tracker tariff. If your supplier breaks


these rules you can complain, first to the energy supplier, then to the Energy Ombuds­ man.


And don’t forget, you may


be entitled to a free replace­ ment central heating boiler or loft and cavity wall insulation


through the Energy Company Obligation. We can help you to find out.


Find out more about tariffs and how to compare prices for gas and electricity from citizensadvice.org.uk public information website. Alternatively call 01200


429966 for advice. Appoint­ ments are available ifyou need to see an'adviser face-to-face. Ribble yalley CAB is based


at 19/21 Wesleyan Row, Parson Lane, Clitheroe, BB72JY. It is open weekdays 10


am to' 4 pm except Wednes­ days. For appointments in Longridge call 01200 427336.


Summer savings for the school holidays


A charity based in Clitheroe is hoping to help prevent par­ ents from overspending dur­ ing the long school holidays. The Clitheroe Christians


Against Poverty debt centre says it sees too many families dipping into the red during the summer. Now it wants to remind


families of the freeor low-cost activities that can be eryoyed instead of putting family fi­ nances at risk. Clitheroe centre man­


ager Pamela Entwistle said: “When the weather is good, the options are more obvious, but when it’s wet, you have to be more inventive andithelps to have some good ideas to hand.” " r ;' S i : v;-sv>: at;;?;


Many local councils have


activities on offerfor children in parks, libraries and sports centres while most museums are free and may have special summer events on offer. Parents are urged to do


their research before the chil­ dren break up from school. ' • Pamela said: “I want to say be smart about the summer holidays. “Ask yourself, are there


any free festivals, free sport­ ing events locally? Do your research and. make a plan.


■ Decide how much you can af- 'ford each week and create a ‘treats fund’ - however small - and talk about it with your children.


.1 ,’ :A“Involve'them in how you <


will spend it - they will appre­ ciate what happens so much more and it’s a great lesson for them.” Christians Against Pover­


ty has a wealth of knowledge in helping families overcome spiralling debts and encour­ aging them to live to a budget. It is a charity determined •


to reduce hardship in the UK, with the help of local church­ es. It does this through 280 debt counselling centres; a money education programme the CAP Money Course and CAP Job Clubs for unem­ ployed people. All its services are given freely for everyone regardless of age, gender, faith or background. To :find out more, visit:- -


www.capuk.org or call 0800 3280006.


Here are our top 10 tips. • Make sure you have oth­


er parents’ phone numbers before the children break up from school. A play date is the easiest way to entertain - and if the favour is returned, you mightwinyourselfaquietday! • Remember treasure


hunts as a kid? Geocaching is the updated version and is


thesortoftechnologythatgets out outside. Alfyou need is a smart phone. Find out more: geocaching.com


• Anyonefortennis? Free


coaching session s for kids are available as part of the Great British Tennis Weekend via1


-;


clubspark.lta.org.uk. Book your place early!


• Avoid expensive cafes on


days out by taking your own sandwiches and drinks.


, • Put together a craft box and hide it until you hit a rainy day. Fill it with magazines to cut up, glue, paper or card,


string, sweet wrappers, milk tops. • Get baking! It doesn’t


have to be expensive. Buns, flapjacks, biscuits - they are


all fairly easy and will bright­ en up a dull afternoon. Ifyou


don t want to put the oven


°P; find a recipe online for a “fridge cake”.. • • Visitsomeone together-


a relative, friend or neighbour who would like some compa-: • •


ny. It will brighten their day and give you all a change of scene. • Become a nature detec­


tive! Lots of free printables, ideas and venues to discover from the Woodland Trust via natiiredetectives.org.uk/sum- mer • Competitive child? Check out free 2k runs for


children between four and 14 atparkrun.org.uk/events/jun-


ioreventsfait Don’t beat yourself up


about not being able to pro­ vide a plush holiday for your family. The most valuable thing you can do is to spend time with them - even i f it’s washing the car together and getting s o a k e d / . L - •••


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