Five million households face energy budget crunch as bills soar today

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View online April 01, 2022 1 / Five million households face energy budget crunch as bills soar overnight Five million households will be forced to spend at least 10 per cent of their budget on energy bills after Friday's price cap hike, according to the latest analysis.   The prediction comes as the limit on bills leaps by 54 per cent, adding an average of £693 a year to the cost for those on default tariffs.   A number of major energy suppliers websites crashed Thursday as customers raced to submit meter readings ahead of the increase. Users reported being unable to access the websites of energy giants such as British Gas, SSE, E.ON, and EDF. 2 / Boris Johnson forced to rapidly backtrack on U-turn over gay conversion therapy ban after furious backlash PM backs down amid anger from Tory MPs but trans people left out of planned ban, reports say 3 / Police were 'prepared' to arrest Will Smith after he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, producer says LAPD officers said slap amounted to 'battery', says Will Packer 4 / Russian soldiers leave Chernobyl after suffering 'significant doses' of radiation, Ukraine says Russian troops reportedly treated for radiation poisoning after digging trenches in exclusion zone 5 / Ministers told to delay new Brexit checks in July to prevent 'collapse' in trade Extra import controls will be 'impossible' for small businesses, says food industry chief The Big Question What is the norovirus and how does it spread? The UK Health Security Agency has warned that norovirus cases more than doubled in England in the second week of March, the winter vomiting bug spreading through nurseries, schools and care homes for the elderly.   The body warned the public to take precautions to limit the spread of the disease, including by washing their hands with soap and water rather than antibacterial gels, and to take particular care to shield the vulnerable from infection.   So what exactly is the virus, what are its symptoms and how is it treated? Read the full story > Watch/ Lebanon's 'orchestrated' financial crisis bringing poverty to the middle classes | On The Ground NUMBER OF THE DAY -6C – Overnight temperatures in parts of Scotland this week as the spring sunshine gave way to an Arctic chill. QUOTE OF THE DAY "Martin Lewis has once again created unprecedented demand bringing down Britain." – The money saving expert is blamed by energy company E.ON after its website, along with those of several other power suppliers, crashed on Thursday due to heavy traffic. Other stories you might like 'They played games with us': Former hostage of Isis 'Beatles' describes brutal treatment at hands of British jailers Boy, 12, who died at school of 'heart attack' told family 'I love you' in last words Father whose dog killed his 12-day-old baby after inflicting up to 40 puncture wounds is jailed Articles available exclusively to subscribers Samuel Lovett, The Independent: Removal of free Covid testing marks the beginning of a new and uncertain chapter If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. Join the conversation or follow us Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders.   If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please unsubscribe.   If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.