Energy firms 'cutting back on caps'

New research has shown that energy groups are trimming the amount of fixed deals on offer.

According to MoneyExpert.com, only 15 per cent of offers allow customers to cap their energy costs and only four groups - British Gas, ScottishPower, E.ON and EDF - are offering capped deals.

The website claimed that all the major power suppliers have pushed up their prices, with gas bills up by as much as 35 per cent and electricity up by nearly 20 per cent.

Jon McGowan, of the Energy Saving Trust, recently advised that "around half of heat loss" disappears through both the walls and loft so insulating the two could "significantly" reduce energy bills.

"Installing 270mm (10 inches) of loft insulation can save up to 15 per cent - around £110 per year - on your energy bills," he said.

The energy expert added that if everyone in the UK increased the level of their loft insulation to 270mm, the nation could save almost £400 million a year.