Customers of a major energy company are being given free electric blankets as the cost of living crisis continues to strike the UK.
Octopus Electricity has supplied warm blankets to thousands of its customers to help with increasing gas and energy expenses.
The price ceiling was raised to over £2,000 at the start of April, causing many families’ energy costs to rise.
That means an average yearly energy bill in Britain will go up by £700.
As part of Britain’s cost-of-living issue, food and clothing prices have soared.
But Octopus Energy has attempted to ease the pain by giving them free electric blankets to those who need them.
Electric blankets may be as little as 28p an hour, according to Uswitch.
People thanked Octopus on social media for its “dedicated assistance for consumers in financial difficulties.”
Amazon now has the Bauer Professional heated throw for roughly £40.
‘Thank you for the electric blanket. Being in a power wheelchair all day makes me feel colder, and this practical present will help me warm up.
‘Thanks. Some energy firms appear to stand out. I’m a regular client.
‘Just wanted to thank you!!’ said another. Our complimentary heated blanket came today and the kids adore it!!! Thank you.’
Since then, the corporation has said’stocks are extremely low’.
Customers may apply for an electric blanket and other aid online.
Octopus said it will give away blankets to anyone in need if it has any left.
Energy prices have grown ‘dramatically’, according to CEO Greg Jackson, and the cost-of-living challenge is’very real’.
He added the’sad fact’ is that many individuals lost work during the epidemic, making expenses unsustainable.
‘Where individuals do their best, organisations like ours will work with them to set payment plans in place, to offer some support, to work with their whole income and spending,’ he told LBC.
Mr Jackson said there are those who can pay but choose not to, and that requires a “different approach.”
‘Global energy prices are one of the most volatile markets, therefore it’s a fool who makes a firm forecast,’ he said.
As a result of the system’s lag, we know that prices seen today will establish the next energy price cap period.
‘Energy prices in the UK will remain high during the winter unless global prices decrease rapidly. They may be higher. We have no idea.
‘But now we’re in a scenario where two elements actually matter.
One is whether or if additional strategic steps are made with Russia, such as shutting off the gas taps. The second is the weather.
‘Is Europe going to replenish its gas stockpile because we’ve had warm weather? Or is it going to be emptied due to the weather?
‘Depending on the weather between now and winter, energy rates might vary greatly in the coming months.’
Mr Jackson was questioned whether he could guarantee that his firm would not send the ‘heavies’ around if individuals couldn’t pay.
Mr Jackson told LBC that not paying adds to the price for everyone else.
‘We don’t send the heavy,’ he continued. We support individuals through difficult times by listening and assisting when we can.
‘We haven’t and won’t send the heavies.’
The new price limit increased gas and electricity prices by 54% for almost 22 million customers on Friday.
The boost, which came as temperatures plummeted this week, will add roughly £700 to the average yearly bill.
But many consumers report their suppliers have increased their direct debit payments by double digits.
The Ukraine conflict and rising wholesale energy costs mean the price ceiling will need to jump another 42% in October to reach £2,800 for the typical family.
Heating bills might wipe out individuals living completely on the state pension.
evaluator The Energy Shop estimates that heating and cooling the typical house will cost £1,859 from October to March, with a high of £395 in January.
‘Families must be informed that the worst is yet to come,’ said CEO Scott Byrom.
A tsunami is coming and we know it will reach us shortly.
The price cap restricts providers’ charges to families on normal variable gas and electricity rates.
Overriding the price restriction, vendors are increasing direct debit requests.